Betty Lue Murdoch

Betty Lue Clark Murdoch was born September 28, 1922, in Los Angeles, California, to Sabina Clark and John A. Burt Jr. and passed away, April 19, 2019, in Meridian, Idaho. She was blessed with a twin sister, Sherri, with whom she had a tight bond. She grew up in downtown Salt Lake City across from the LDS Temple and loved her childhood. She was raised by a single mother who worked very hard to provide for her and her sister during the Depression Era.

Betty met Robert Gail Murdoch at the Murdoch Neighborhood Grocery Store on F Street in Salt Lake City, and it was love at first sight. They were engaged to be married when Bob was called to serve in the Eastern States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Betty wrote to him every day. When Bob returned, they were married about a week later, on March 28, 1944, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Three short months after their marriage, Bob was off to fight in World War II in the Pacific Theater. Their tight bond helped Bob in the many battles he fought. When he returned from the war, they moved to Boise, Idaho, where Bob worked for his brother, Jack Murdoch, in the finance business and eventually became a banker.

Their three daughters, Janice, Bette Ann, and Sherri, were born and raised in the North End and the Bench areas of Boise. The North End of Boise had many open ditches which proved dangerous to children. Betty was one of the organizers of a committee to encourage the city to cover them and, eventually, most were and most likely saved many children’s lives. She and Bob belonged to the Jaycees, a service organization, and she was awarded Jaycette of the Year, a great honor.

Betty worked for the Idaho Department of Employment for 28 years. After her retirement, she loved to travel to many European destinations, Hawaii, and took several cruises. In 1995, she took her three daughters on a Caribbean cruise, which was a highlight for everyone.

Betty loved adventure and always wanted to try something new. She floated the Payette and Boise Rivers, jumped on the trampoline with her grandchildren, took a hot-air balloon ride in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and as a child jumped off the garage with an umbrella to see if her “parachute” worked. She loved the arts, attended musical presentations, and volunteered at the Morrison Center. She loved to play games with friends and family, shop at antique stores, and grow beautiful flowers. She was a wonderful example of being aware of the needs of others and immediately ministering to them. When Bob became ill with Alzheimer’s Disease, she spent many hours at the Idaho Soldier’s Home caring for him.

Betty was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings including Relief Society President, where caring for others came naturally. She served in the Boise LDS Temple for many years. She came from a rich pioneer heritage and was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Betty was preceded in death by her mother, Sabina Clark, her husband, Robert Murdoch, her twin sister, Sherri Jensen, and is survived by her daughters, Janice Murdoch, Bette Ann (Wynn) Christensen, Sherri (David) Porter, 14 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and many wonderful friends. She was very proud of her family and loved them dearly.

“I have had a wonderful life with a wonderful family and been blessed with many good friends.”

The family would like to thank the caregivers at the Spring Creek Assisted Living Center in Meridian for their wonderful care. She loved living there.

A viewing will be held Thursday, April 25, 6:00-8:00pm, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 701 S. Curtis Rd., Boise. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 26, 10:30am, at the same location with a viewing preceding from 9:30-10:15am. Interment will follow at Cloverdale Cemetery in Boise.