Patricia Ann Murray

patricia  murray

September 21, 1936 ~ October 24, 2019

Born in: Los Angeles, CA
Resided in: Pinehurst, NC

Patricia Ann (O’Connor) Murray passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Hospice House in Pinehurst, NC. She was surrounded by family members from all over the country.

Her parents, Allan James O’Connor and Charlotte Passino O’Connor, lived in Los Angeles, CA. She joined three brothers, Daniel Franklin. Allan James, and Richard Edwin O’Connor.  When she was still very young, she and her mother relocated to June Lake, CA. Patricia graduated from Bishop High School in 1953. She studied nursing, but her love of travel led her to join the AirForce where she was part of the flight crew for Strategic Air Command that flew missions on C-118s.

In 1958 she met and married Col. Richard Fernald, an Air Force officer.  They had three children, Kevin, Colleen, and Kathleen. Following a divorce in 1978, Patricia and daughter Kathleen returned to Northern California. There she met and married Ronald Murray in 1991. In 2002, they took in three young girls, Donna, Nancy, and Vanessa Nguyen, after they lost their mother and Pat became their extra Grandma.

She  worked for R.W. Lynch and retired as their Vice President after 21 years of dedication. Upon her retirement, she and Ron moved to Pinehurst, North Carolina. She was active in several organizations. She was a volunteer with the Red Cross, a volunteer liaison for the U.S. Open, a graduate of the Pinehurst Citizens Police Academy. She has always been deeply involved in all of the churches that she had attended throughout her life.  She has been a member of Christ Community Church for many years and has been part of many prayer groups and various ministries, but her biggest passion was her work in their Children’s Ministry. Little ones were her light and life.

She was well loved by her many, many friends and famous for her colorful socks, kind acts, and handing out of red clown noses to friends, or even perfect strangers, just to brighten their day and make them feel special. She loved children, birds and dogs, gardening, knitting, playing bridge and golf. 

She is joined in heaven with her parents, Charlotte and Allan, her brothers Danny and Richard, and her granddaughter Charlotte Fernald. 

She is survived by her husband Ron Murray, her brother Allan O’Connor, her children: Kevin Fernald and wife Rosemarie, Colleen Fernald, and Kathleen Harvey and husband Chris, also by her grandchildren: Nicolas Hodgetts, Alexandra Sage Hodgetts, Jesse Fernald,Connor Fernald, Patrick Fernland and adopted grandchildren: Donna, Nancy, and Vanessa Nguyen.

Memorials may be made to: Patricia Ann Murray Memorial Fund, c/o First Citizens Bank, 40 Page Drive, Pinehurst, NC 28374. 

Services are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home. 

An online guest register is available at PinesFunerals.com

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  1. Dear Ron and family,
    We are so sorry for your loss. Pat was a dear lady in so many ways. She was always glad to see us when we were in Pinehurst in the winter and one of the first people to greet us at church. She was a special sister to Richard and we really appreciated her input and support when he was renting our Pinehurst condo. We will be dear miss Pat, but know she is with our Savior for eternity now. Love, Martha and John

  2. Kevin, Kathleen and family. Pat was one of a kind dear soul! She was always a positive force in my life. It’s hard to believe that 46 yrs have passed since I lived with her and family while attending Nursing School. Pat LIVED her Christian Faith. I will miss her photo postcards and updated family news! If ANYONE is in heaven , it is Pat!
    She loooved her Savior and lived to show His love! Hugs and prayers to all the family!

  3. Pat and I worked together in the Business and Professional Women’s
    organization. She was a lovely and smart lady.

  4. Dear Ron and family, We want to offer our sincere condolences for your loss. Pat was a special lady to us, starting with her special commitment and mentoring in the children’s ministry at CCC. She had a heartfelt love for children and they for her. Our young granddaughter always ran to hug “her teacher” anytime she was visiting and went to church with us. John especially enjoyed her thoughtful remarks and discussions during the times they attended apologetic conferences and seminars. Such a godly woman and we’ll miss her smiling face, funky necklaces and those crazy socks, but find peace in knowing she is forever with Jesus now -and we’ll see her again.
    Love,
    Linda and John Hemingway

  5. I wrote a message yesterday but don’t know what happened to it. Just as well though.
    I just watched the video and cried my eyes out. She was such a positive force in my life 46 yrs ago and kept in touch with surprise phone calls, cards, photos and surprise visits from time to time. I lived with her while going to nursing school 46 yrs ago but also knew her from our church. Pat was the epitome of positivity and all things that pointed to her Savior. She had tremendous faith, tremendous determination and tremendous love for life and any and all of God’s creations. I’ve never known anyone that had as much JOY inside- no matter what the circumstances might be at any given moment. Well done thy good and faithful servant! You LIVED the Word!
    Much love to you all and continued prayers as you go through the days ahead.

  6. Dear loved ones,
    My husband, kids and I were blessed to see Miss Pat weekly at church (CCC) in the children’s ministry. She kept our Noemi in the nursery and we saw her smiling face sitting in the hallways and helping wherever she was needed in Children’s Ministry. Her beautiful smile and love for Jesus and children touched our hearts and lives. We are praying for you at this time and smile to know she is with her Savior at this very moment.

    Love the Voelker family.

  7. Pat was one of our favorite customers – whether she was telling a joke, asking us to cater for her Bible Study Group, or ordering her favorite quiche, we were always happy to see her come into the door.
    I have written memories which Pat jotted down for us, birthday gifts which she gave me, but most of all we all have a memory of a life well lived. Blessings to Ron and the family during this period of transition.

    Sending love and light.


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