Tributes

Pawleys Island Helen Dean Newton Murdock Helen Dean Newton was born February 10, 1933, in Eufala, Oklahoma. She was the oldest of four children born to Otto Newton, Sr. and Verna Lucille Hart. She was raised on a farm in Eufala with her sisters, Margaret and Peggy, and their little brother, Otto Newton, Jr. After her mother's death in 1945, Helen moved with her family to California. She graduated from Taft High School in 1950, and kept in touch with her many friends, even attending her 60th reunion in 2010. She married James Lafayette Cash right after high school, and they had two sons, James LaFayette Cash and Jonathan Lee Cash, before divorcing in 1955. Helen interviewed for a secretarial job at General Petroleum, but her potential boss got a transfer, so he asked her on a date instead. She began dating this would-be boss, Roy Murdock, in a long-distance relationship (Bakersfield/Los Angeles), and they were married on February 6, 1959. She and Roy had a daughter, Elizabeth Ann. Helen spent the children's formative years as a housewife and stay-at-home mom. She cooked dinner every night, and family was very important to her. She dabbled in real estate for a bit, but not so much to earn money- she just loved looking at peoples' houses, a joy she indulged herself in her entire life. In 1965, she and Roy and the kids relocated to Stamford, CT, when Roy was transferred to Mobil Oil's New York office. Quite a social creature, Helen was active in many groups, but especially bridge, and she was quite the enthusiastic player. She also volunteered at the local hospital, drove her kids to gymnastics, Girl Scouts, school plays, etc. Again, she made friends in Connecticut that she visited, wrote to, traveled with, and cherished to the day she died. In 1980, she and Roy moved again, this time to McLean, VA. She immediately joined the Newcomers club, which later became Postcomers. She loved Virginia, and especially Southerners. She found a few bridge groups, and when Roy retired in 1988, they began to travel in earnest. Helen was an avid reader, and a knowledgeable history buff, and she loved to see the places she'd read about in the historical novels she loved so much. She traveled with Roy, with other couples, and with her girlfriends. They saw the United States, Canada, Russia, China, South America, Europe, the Galapagos, the Panama Canal-- almost everywhere that people outnumber seals or polar bears. She lived in McLean until Roy's death in 2013. Leaving behind many, many lovely and dear friends, she sold their house and moved to a beautiful new home in a retirement community in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Helen entered into rest on November 18, 2014, at her cottage. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, and her husband. She is survived by her son Jim Cash and his wife Joan, of Murrells Inlet, SC; her son Jon Cash, also of Murrells Inlet; and her daughter, Liz Wagner and husband Nick, of Lemoore, CA. Helen adored her four grandchildren, Ryan Mammone, Carrie Mills, Andrea Montoya, and Nicole Springer. Her six great grandchildren brought her joy as well, and she pored over their pictures often. Helen was loved by all who met her. She will be remembered as a wonderful friend, a faithful correspondent, highly intelligent, kind, thoughtful, generous, and steadfast. She is and will be missed deeply. Services will be held at the Goldfinch Funeral Home, 202 Hinnant Road, Pawleys Island, SC, on Tuesday December 2, 2014, at 2:00pm. A visitation with the family will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. An online guestbook may be signed at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Litchfield/Pawleys Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Tributes

Helen Murdock

February 10, 1933 - November 18, 2014