Murt Brunton

1941 - 2023

Murt (Mary Lee Cashen) Brunton, passed away October 15th in Portland, Oregon surrounded by her family. She had a long battle with Parkinson's disease. She survived by her two children Glen G. Brunton and Gwen Brunton (Durstin Selfridge); her two grandchildren Donovan and Alistair Selfridge; Sister-in-law Heather Cashen and niece Nancy (Doug) Courtney; nephews Steve (Barb) Cashen and Greg (Bonnie) Cashen and wonderful cousins and group of friends. She was predeceased by her husband Gordon Brunton; parents Tom and Edla Cashen; and her brother Tom Cashen, and nephew Jim Cashen.

Murt was a devoted mother. She was a practical and competent person, a maker of lists, and a meticulous homemaker. She loved her family, reading, music, politics, organization and home improvement. She was an avid baseball fan as well as a spectator of basketball and hockey. She was always willing to lend a helping hand. We will always miss her, with her hilarious sense of humor and her twinkling eyes.

Murt loved growing up in Douglas, spending time with family and friends. She was a member of the Girl Scouts. After graduating from Juneau Douglas High School in 1959, she had a variety of summer jobs including teaching swimming lessons at the ice cold then "Evergreen Bowl". Murt studied education at University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she met Gordon at a party. After graduation they married, and moved to Valdez, Alaska. Murt was a substitute teacher and Girl Scout Leader and Gordon worked for the Alaska Highway Department. Murt and Gordon survived the 1964 Good Friday earthquake, a monumental event. When Gordon took the position as Deputy State Fire Marshal in 1972, they moved to Juneau. She volunteered in her children's classrooms and for school events, worked at special election events. She donated her time to her community walking along Douglas highway, cleaning up garbage as she went.

Murt was often asked why her nickname was "Murt"? Her brother, Tom, jokingly nicknamed her Murt after a colorful Douglas resident. The name stuck although her mother, Edla, never called her by that name.
A celebratory picnic lunch is planned for Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at the Savikko #1 Shelter at Sandy Beach. Her ashes will be scattered in several places in Alaska. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Catholic Charities in Juneau (ccak.org).