Shirley Jean Murray

SHIRLEY JEAN MURRAY
November 18, 1926 ˜ January 31, 2026

Our mother was a Renaissance woman out of her time. She was a happy participant in rediscovery and revival of art, literary, and philosophical achievements of the world around her.

She was born on November 18, 1926 in Urbana, Illinois, the first of three children to Charles Douglas Burgess Anderson and Linnea Olga Stone Anderson.

Shirley was raised in Illinois by a father who was the assistant to Senator Paul Douglas, and a mother who was the educational director for a Chicago community-owned co-op. Her family moved to California where Shirley graduated valedictorian of Belmont HS in Los Angeles at the age of 16. She graduated with a BA in political science from the University of Illinois after first attending the University of Chicago. In college she realized that she loved learning new languages and eventually collected a working knowledge of six languages.

Shirley married her first husband George Quentin Davidson on August 23, 1946. Within eight years, they had six children. They moved a few times and eventually landed in Longview, WA. Shirley worked as a technical writer and stenographer for Weyerhaeuser Pulp and Paper engineering group and Georgia Pacific. After her divorce, she joined the Mazamas and climbed Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, The Brothers, Goat Rocks, and Mt. St. Helens before it erupted.

In 1969 she moved to Bellingham, WA and met her second husband, Keith Alexander Murray who she married on March 14, 1970. While in Bellingham, Shirley decided to dedicate her life to community service first as a board member of an interdenominational council called Church Women United of Bellingham that led to her co-founding Lydia Place for Homeless Women in 1989. She also was on the board and volunteered at the Y’s Buys shop benefitting the YWCA for several years.

Shirley was an accomplished musician, playing piano, organ and singing in the choir at First Presbyterian Church. She taught her kids and many of her grandkids how to play piano and continued playing until she was 98. She was an avid reader of all genres, often reading a book a day. Shirley created art out of everything including painting, stained glass, block printing, pottery, home improvement/interior design, gardening, and more.

She is survived by her six children: Kevin George Davidson (June), Galen Douglas Davidson (Joy), Maren Linnea Sanders, Loryn Esther Gorsett (Mike), Quentin Floyd Davidson (Pamela), Curtin Carl Davidson (Megan), and one step-daughter Anne Lenkert.

Shirley is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Doris May Fraser, brother Douglas Charles Anderson, both spouses, and one step-daughter Christian Sparks.

Her legacy lives on through the large family she loved, the communities she served, and through her example of a life lived with intention and beauty.

A private interment will take place at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale, WA. A celebration of life will be held at the YWCA Bellingham ballroom, 1026 N Forest St., on April 2, 2026 from 11:30 a.m - 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lydia Place: lydiaplace.org
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