Jacqueline Donna Murdoch

Jacqueline “Jackie” Donna Moss Murdoch

Jackie Murdoch died on February 16 at her home in Wilsonville.  Her beloved husband of 47 years, Layne Murdoch, was by her side when she passed.  She was 70 years old.

Jackie was born in Eugene, Oregon on September 15, 1952 to Loy and Donna Moss.  In her early childhood, the family moved to the Mohawk Valley outside of Springfield. Jackie attend elementary school in a two-room school house, and helped her parents around the family ranch.  She spent summers in her teen years expertly driving the tractor and turning hay.  She graduated from Thurston High School in 1970, and earned a degree in political science from Oregon State University in 1974. She was the first person in her family to graduate from college. 

Shortly after college, she began working for the City of Springfield.  She would work in various roles for the city for the next forty years.  Before she retired in 2016, she served as the city code enforcement officer.  She took public service seriously, and cherished her colleagues, some of whom became her closest friends. 

Jackie met Layne in high school, and they began dating in college. They married in 1975, and later welcomed children Taylor and Alisha. Jackie rarely called attention to herself, and yet was devoted to her husband and children with an unimaginable intensity. Weekends brought her around the state and country for her children’s athletic contests and musical performances. She drove across the pass when it was time to ski on the snow.  She drove the boat when it was time to ski on the water.  Her most treasured memories were of summer evenings on the lake with her beloved family and friends.  

Jackie and Layne moved to Portland in 2004, and to Wilsonville in 2018.  She was received into the Catholic Church in 2006, and was a parishioner first at St. Clare Church in Portland, and then at Resurrection Parish in Tualatin. Ever the farm girl with a gift for friendship, she kept her hands busy in retirement by knitting, and joined a knitting group.  The hats and scarves she crafted for loved ones were minor works of art.  She was Nonna to her grandchildren, and she loved them fiercely. They reciprocated.

Jackie is survived by her husband, Layne; brother, Steven Moss; children Taylor (Anne Marie) and Alisha (Cody); and grandchildren Joseph, Robert, Frances, and Rose.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Loy and Donna.  A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 25^th at 11 am at Resurrection Parish.  A reception will follow.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Thurston Cabaret Dance Team, mckenzie.smith@springfield.k12.or.us, 333 58th Street, Springfield, OR 97478.