Portia Murray

Portia Jean Murray (Thornton) passed away peacefully in her home on January 15, 2022, surrounded by family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend that lit up every room she entered. Portia was a lover of all animals and never met a dog or cat she didn't love. A devout Christian, Portia worked for the First Presbyterian Church in Wenatchee for several years and there's no question there was a celebration in heaven when she finally arrived. Portia was born in Burlington, IA on February 25, 1931 to parents Prentice and Teresa Thornton. She lived her young life in the Midwest and moved to Wenatchee from Topeka, KS in 1949 for her senior year of high school. She was able to make this transition quickly and was selected as Wenatchee Apple Blossom Queen in the spring of that year. As Queen, she had the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. for the Cherry Blossom Festival and met with members of President Harry S. Truman's administration. She was escorted about the Nation's Capitol by West Point cadets. Portia briefly attended the University of Washington where she was crowned Freshman Queen before leaving Seattle to take a position at a television station in Spokane. She met her husband, William C. Murray of Wenatchee, after moving to Wenatchee during their senior year of high school. They were married in 1952 and the couple relocated to San Diego while Bill served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. This would be the beginning of a loving and beautiful marriage that would last 70 years. They had their first child, Pamela, while in San Diego and returned to the Wenatchee Valley after Bill completed his tour of duty. Pam would follow in her mother's footsteps and became Apple Blossom Queen in 1972, and we believe they are the only mother/daughter Apple Blossom Queens in the history of the festival. They had their second child, Bill, in 1960. Bill attended the University of Washington and is now a physician in Wenatchee. Portia loved both her kids dearly and either spoke with or saw them daily throughout her life. She had a tremendous amount of pride in her children and provided them with love and support until her final days. Portia and Bill had a strong sense of community and engaged in Appalarian and Exchange Club activities as well as investing in support of Little League and Wenatchee Panther sports programs. They transported Apple Blossom Royalty across the state and into Canada to attend festivals. They sold Christmas trees and put an irrigation system into the baseball fields at Morris Park. They created a computer system to scout opponents back when Wenatchee won multiple state championships in high school football. Simply known as 'Grams' to her six loving grandchildren, she made sure none of them ever went hungry when visiting her home. She will be remembered as a fun-loving and generous grandmother who thoroughly enjoyed spoiling her grandkids at Christmas and birthdays. Portia will be fondly remembered by all those who knew her as a kind, beautiful, and graceful soul that exuded a truly contagious energy for life. She will be missed dearly by her family but our memories of her will live on forever. And, just as she was crowned back in 1949, she will always be our Queen. Portia is survived by her husband, Bill; her son, Bill Murray (Jodi) of Wenatchee, WA; her daughter, Pamela Erickson of Sammamish, WA; and her brother, Kern Thornton, of Frederick, MD. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Brooks (Masha), Graeme (Dani), and Joshua Erickson, Alex, Matthew, and Jessica Murray who all currently reside along the west coast from Seattle to San Diego. A funeral service for Portia will be held at Chapel of the Valley on Monday, January 24, 2022 at 2pm. You are also invited to Portia's online tribute at www.chapelofthevalleyncw.com. In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society or an organization of your choice. Arrangements are by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA.

Portia Murray

February 25, 1931 - January 15, 2022