Nellie A. Murray, 97, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2026, at Summit Springs Village in Condon, Oregon. Nellie was born on July 22, 1928, in Kahlotus, Washington, to Louis and Gladys Burgess.

She was raised on the family farm with her three sisters, Clara, Lois and Susie, where she developed a lifelong love of horses and the simple joys of rural life. She graduated from Kahlotus High School in 1946.

Nellie married Raymond Flint, and together they welcomed their son, Leonard. Tragically, Raymond was killed in a farm accident when Leonard was just an infant, a loss she carried.

She later married Cecil Lathrop, and together they had two sons, Earl and Allen. Cecil also had two children, Cecilia and Gary, whom Nellie helped raise as her own. Their journey took them from Kahlotus to a farm in Amity, Oregon, and later to Pendleton, where Nellie helped manage an apartment house and laundromat. Eventually, the family settled in Condon, Oregon, where they raised their children together.

After raising her boys, Nellie married Volney Thomas. Volney had a daughter, Tamera, whom Nellie loved and kept a close relationship with throughout her life. 

Following her marriage to Volney, Nellie met and married Robert "Bob" Murray. Bob and Nellie shared a love for family and extended that love to each other's families, creating a home full of warmth and laughter.

While living in Condon, Nellie worked at Murray's Pharmacy, where she was known for her kindness. She had a way about her that naturally allowed people to share their story.  Her family would say it was her big heart.  Nellie had a gift for making lasting memories with those she loved. Whether it was fishing, camping, or taking trips to Canada or Logan Valley, she cherished time spent with family.

She had a wonderful sense of humor, a generous heart, and a caregiver's spirit, often sacrificing her own comfort for the well-being of others. She lived her life as a giver not a taker. If there are angels on earth, Nellie was surely among them. She was the kind of person who took in stray cats, fed the birds, and always made room for someone in need-sometimes even an "occasional stray kid." She loved deeply, welcomed everyone, and truly never met a stranger.

Her final years were spent at Summit Springs where she received amazing care and was truly loved by all.

Nellie is survived by her sister, Lois Miller. Her sons, Leonard (Cheryl) Flint, Earl (Dixie) Lathrop, Allen (Dawn) Lathrop, Tamera Pierce, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren and a wide circle of family and friends who all loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Gladys Burgess, sisters Susie Fifield and Clara Moore, children Cecilia and Gary and grandson, Bobby Earl Lathrop.

An open house celebrating Nellie's life will be held on May 16, 2026 from 2:00-4:00 at the St. John Parish Hall in Condon.

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