Obituary of Hilda MacLauren Murrie

    Hilda MacLaren Murrie, 98, passed away peacefully at the Davis Home in Altavista, VA on October 20, 2018.  Her ashes will be interred at Spring Hill Cemetery on Fort Avenue on Saturday, November 17 at 2:00 PM, followed by a memorial service at 3:00 PM in the ground floor chapel at Centenary United Methodist Church, Pastor Doug Gunsalus officiating.  In acknowledgment of Hilda’s intense love of all God’s creatures, especially dogs, memorial gifts may be made to Lynchburg Humane Society.

    Born on August 19, 1920 in Danville, VA, Hilda was the daughter of Ellen Dame Brydon and William Edgar Murrie.  She moved with her family to Lynchburg as a child and after working in various secretarial positions, she became a secretary with the United States Foreign Service in 1957 and was posted in a number of international locations, including Dacca, Rio de Janeiro and The Hague.  After retiring in 1976, Hilda traveled throughout the United States, living in many college towns, including Eugene, OR, Lewisburg, PA and Amherst, MA, where she studied subjects ranging from history and political science to art and literature.  She enjoyed life immensely and appreciated the many friendships she made throughout the country and the world.      Hilda was witty and inquisitive (her family would say “nosey”) and wanted to understand everything, from different religious beliefs to emerging technologies.  Although she was confirmed as a child at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lynchburg, she worshiped at Centenary when she moved back to Lynchburg in 2006 to live with her sister Ellen Dame Murrie, who predeceased her last year.  Hilda was generous with her time, her money and her laughter, as well as the dog biscuits she would distribute to neighborhood dogs while walking in the Rivermont section of town.  She is survived and lovingly remembered by her niece, Ellen Dame Rodgers Martin, and husband Wayne of Charlotte, NC; grand nephew William O. Gray, III ("Dusty") and wife Melany of Larchmont NY; grand niece Angelyn Martin Boucher and family of Charlotte, NC; and her cousins Lucy Murrie Bates Ponton of Drakes Branch, VA, Walter Murrie Bates and wife Gretchen of Charlotte Court House, VA, Charles Bates Ponton and family of Charlottesville, VA and Robert S. Ponton, Jr. and family of Overland Park, KS, as well as four great-grand nephews and a great-grand niece, several of whom had the good fortune to frequently enjoy Hilda’s energy and good humor as they were growing up.

    Hilda’s family wishes to thank Sue Almond for her loving and compassionate care of Hilda, and the entire Davis family, including especially Kathy, Kiki and Amber, for bringing her into their family last year.  They also thank former neighbors Ned and Mary Bunch and all the good people at Generation Solutions, Gentle Shepherd Hospice, and Centra Hospice for their love, care and friendship.   

    Diuguid Funeral Service & Crematory, Wiggington Road Chapel, 385-8900, is serving the family. On-line condolences may be sent to www.diuguidfuneralservice.com.