Helen Rae Robinson Murphy

Helen Rae Robinson Murphy

1931-2016

Helen Rae Murphy, 84, passed away quietly on August 16, 2016, in her home surrounded by her loving family.  Born October 22, 1931, in the small farming community of Coalville, Utah to George F. and Leah S. Robinson.  Helen Rae loved growing up in small-town USA and forever called Coalville home.  Her mother, Leah, taught Home Economics and business at the local high school.  From her, Helen Rae learned important homemaking skills as well as business skills that would serve her well throughout her life. It was her father, George, who encouraged her passion for music and simply finding joy in life. Although neither of them had the opportunity for formal training, they both enjoyed singing.  While attending North Summit High School she participated in sports and was the band majorette, but it was singing in a trio with her closest friends that brought her the most joy.  Her friendship with the trio singers lasted throughout her lifetime.

In 1949 Helen Rae married her first husband, Eldon Wright. Together they had one daughter, Sheryl Wright (Bailey), later divorced.

On March 10, 1961, she married her eternal sweetheart, Franklin Moroni Murphy, in the Salt Lake Temple. Through hard work and dedication, Frank and Helen Rae built a strong family. Helen Rae was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and always made family her top priority.  She never missed important milestones in the lives of family. Even though she was very ill, she found the determination and energy to attend the full days’ events of the marriages of her two grandchildren over the last year of her life.

She was dedicated to music, singing, sewing, fun in the sun, and skiing. 

Her lifelong passion was always music.  She continued to share that love of music with the children of her ward for many years as the primary chorister.  She also sang with the ward choir and served as the ward and Relief Society chorister.  All of her children learned to appreciate and participate in musical endeavors. 

For her daughters, she used her master sewing skills to create beautiful wardrobes, including prom and wedding dresses.  In addition, she lovingly made fun and creative quilts for family, friends, and community projects.  Many of these quilts are treasured and prized keepsakes for family and non-family alike, and are part of the legacy of love that Helen Rae will leave behind.

Summer Saturdays were often filled with water skiing.  Helen Rae worshipped the sun, water, and barbequed hotdogs on the beach – the sand that accompanied the hotdogs was the secret ingredient that made them the best!  In the winter, Saturdays in the sun, sand, and water of the beach was traded for the sun and snow of the slopes.

Helen Rae never missed anyone’s birthday.  Family regularly gathered at “Grandma’s house” to celebrate each person’s special day with cake and, usually, homemade ice cream. It was family tradition to make a wish and blow out the candles of the birthday cake several times before cutting and enjoying it. 

BBQ’s and Easter egg hunts in the backyard will be remembered by all.  The family not only enjoyed superb food, but fun and games as well.  Along with memorable Thanksgivings and Christmases, these activities formed strong family bonds.

Helen Rae was also an avid sports fan and she never missed watching and cheering for her favorite football team, the Cougars of BYU.  She welcomed all to the party, even the family Ute fans!

Away from sports, musical adventures lead Frank and Helen Rae to be involved with the Rainbow Dance Club, a square dancing club.  They danced competitively throughout the western states and loved every minute of it. Later, they participated in a service group, The Beehive Roamers, where they completed a variety of service projects across the community and in support of numerous groups and organizations. These two outlets provided them many wonderful memories and long lasting friendships. Helen Rae will be missed by all those who knew her, danced with her, and who provided service with her.

Helen Rae treasured her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Admittedly not a scholar, she lived the life of a disciple.  She blessed the lives of others through her talents whether it was a warm quilt or home cooked meal, a crocheted afghan or hot pad.

After their retirement, she served a mission with her husband and companion in Cody, Wyoming, sharing the gospel with visitors to the historic Cody Chapel.  After her formal mission to Cody was complete, she and Frank then served in a weekly sealing group at the Bountiful Temple.  Binding families together for eternity brought her great peace. 

Throughout her life, Helen Rae’s signature talent was just being a friend in which you could confide. 

The family would like to extend a sincere Thank You to all of the Aspire Hospice nurses and social workers who provided care to Helen Rae in her time of need. In addition, the family will be forever grateful and appreciative of the wonderful and personal-touch services provided by Blanca Lockwood (personal nurse), and Christine Burningham (music therapist).  You served and treated Helen Rae as if she was part of your family and your compassion, empathy, and love have left an indelible mark on our family.  Your support of Helen Rae was second-to-none and was a critical component to both her comfort and well-being and the family’s ability to cope and balance life’s demands during her final days.

Helen Rae is survived by her husband, Franklin Moroni Murphy; daughters, Sheryl Bailey (Jack), Jill Johnson (Larry); son, Dan (Kathy); six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Helen Rae is preceded in death by her parents, George Fergus Robinson and Leah Solomon; brother, Keith Robinson (Judy); and, daughter, Carrie Murphy.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 22, 2016 at the Bountiful Utah 39th Ward Building, 1500 S. 600 E.  Friends and family are invited to visit on Sunday, August 21st, between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 N Main, Bountiful, or Monday, August 22nd, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.  Interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery.