Mary Lou (Morton) Murdock

Mary Lou Murdock, 94, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2025, in Chandler, Arizona, surrounded by her loving family.

Born to Charles and Ruby Morton on March 1, 1931, in O’Neill, Nebraska, Mary Lou was the eldest of four children. She graduated from Rock County High School in Bassett, Nebraska, and earned a degree in education from Colorado Women’s College in Denver in 1951.

On December 26, 1951, Mary Lou eloped with Robert Murdock. Together, they raised five children and moved frequently before settling in Arizona. They later divorced in 1977.

She taught school in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Montana before transitioning to the lumber industry. She managed Crosby Lumber in Eager, Arizona, for over 20 years before moving to the Phoenix area, where she worked for Cooley Wholesale Lumber. She retired at 65 and settled in Sun Lakes, Arizona, where she spent her time translating braille and quilting at her church, and enjoying time with her growing family. She was always crocheting, sewing and gardening and loved to spend time with her many friends and her sister Annie.

In 1998 she reconnected with a high school sweetheart, Dr. Dwight Halligan. They spent the next ten years traveling and enjoying each other and their retired life. After his passing, Mary Lou travelled with all her children and their spouses to 18 countries: riding camels in Egypt, having champagne at the Eiffel Tower, climbing the Great Wall in China, riding in a hot air balloon over the Serengeti in Africa, painting elephants in India and eating mussels in Brussels.

Mary Lou was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, always cherishing time spent with her family. She is survived by her siblings, John Morton and Ann Cosgrove; her five children, George Murdock, Mary Chilcoat, Peggy (John) Vincent, Jean Ray, and Dennis (Tarilyn) Murdock; ten grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren, three nieces and five nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ruby Morton, and her sister, Jane Shaw.

Family Legacy

Children & Grandchildren:

• George & Lisa (deceased) Murdock

o Spencer Murdock

o Martin & Carrie Murdock

- Addison, Connor, Miley, and Danica

o Nicolas & Jordan Murdock

- Blakelyn

• Mary Ann Chilcoat

• Peggy & John Vincent

o Holly & Karl Wente