Marion (Murl) Murlane Meyer

Marion Murlane (Murl) Meyer passed peacefully six days before her 89th birthday, October 1st, 2022, in Gig Harbor, WA. She is survived by her five children, Richard P. Meyer of Santa Rosa, CA, Kevin C. Meyer, Kathryn A. (Meyer) McGhee, Mary M. (Meyer) Nigh, and William D. Meyer of the Gig Harbor/Tacoma areas; twenty-one grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren.

Murl was born in Seattle, WA, October 7th, 1933, to Lane and Murloe Davis. She was the eldest of three children. She spent her childhood in Spokane, WA and after graduating from North Central High Schools, attended the University of Washington from 1951-52. She became engaged to Richard (Dick) Meyer, SGT USMC, and the two were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Seattle, WA, October 31st, 1953. They lived in San Diego, CA until Dick’s discharge in 1954.

The couple returned to Dick’s hometown, Rosedale, WA, and the dairy farm owned by his father. Dick worked the dairy with his father, fished commercially and did other odd jobs to provide for their growing family. A small house was built on this acreage and Murl soon made this home a welcome spot for family and friends. In 1962, when dairy farming came to an end for small dairies, the majority of the herd, as well as the equipment was sold. The shift was made to grow corn, pumpkins, and hay commercially. In 1963, when Dick’s father died, Murl, Dick, and the four children moved out of their little house and into the farmhouse. They were barely settled before baby number five was born.

 Dick was now solely operating the farm and working for Western Farmers. Some years later, with his keen understanding of all things mechanical, he started his own business, Dick Meyer Heating. His business covered all the Olympic Peninsula down to the Oregon border. While Dick was the name on all these operations, Murl was the sharpened pencil in the background. She maintained the books, and fiscal responsibilities. To the penny. She learned how to make it work when elderly widows could only pay with some baked goods, and no business but Dick Meyer Heating would get the furnace operating again.

Murl and Dick were parishioners and supporters of St. Nicholas Catholic church. They were involved as the church grew from the little white church, to the larger church, to a parish with a school. They were active parishioners to the end of their days, spanning 69 years at the time of Murl’s passing.

Murl was active in the parish life, in the community life, and in the school life of her children. She served as parish council member, school nurse at Gig Harbor High School, and school secretary at Holy Family School. She was a person to be counted on to family, friends, and neighbors. She was there for whoever needed her prayers or attention.

A prayerful couple, their home was open to weekly cenacles of prayer, study, and sharing. Many priests and religious were hosted as time went on who were able to enjoy the respite of a peaceful property, food home grown and home cooked, and meaningful conversation.

Murl’s sister Eleanor (Nornie) Hart, when widowed in 2003, came to live at the farm. The three lived as a prayerful community, supporting the work of the church and parish. Murl and Dick were blessed to celebrate their 0th wedding anniversary in 2003. In 2010 the three moved to downtown Gig Harbor, and in 2013, Dick passed. Murl and Nornie continued together, still hosting weekly prayer groups, until Nornie’s passing in 2017.

Generous to the end, Murl and Dick gave unreservedly their property, time, talent, treasure, and most importantly, witness to marriage life lived in the beauty of their deep faith in God. Their love and witness for God, each other, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many, many friends are forever imprinted in our hearts.

May Murl rejoice in the joys of Heaven forever + JMJ      Reception to follow at; Rosedale Community Hall -8205 86th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332

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