Raven Murie
- Published: October 26, 2017
Raven Murie
Raven Murie of Yellow Springs, died peacefully at Hospice of Dayton, following a 15-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Raven was an accomplished writer, artist, lineswoman and craftswoman who loved life and fought hard not to leave it. When asked what she wanted for her memorial service, she responded “I want to be there!” So on Aug. 27, 2017, a contra dance with live band and catered dinner was held and attended by 150 family members, friends and her beloved fellow contra dancers from around the country, with shared stories, laughter and tears afterwards.
Raven was born in California in 1953, moved with her family to Yellow Springs as a child, and attended the Antioch School, Yellow Springs schools, St. John’s College in Santa Fe, Miami University and Antioch College. Her education was varied and eclectic: degrees in French and Greek, counseling and sign language and a certification in electronics. The majority of her working life was spent as a field technician for the phone company, climbing poles and braving the elements. Some of her best writing comes from this time, chronicling the experiences of bitter cold, biting dogs, high winds, squirrel nests in junction boxes and the mix of people: clients, co-workers, fellow citizens.
Raven was fascinated by the art of papermaking and is survived by a plethora of projects: books, jewelry, lampshades, tabletops and collages. She was also a weaver and seamstress, the only member of Thursday Night Sewing Sisters who could knit a pair of socks with ease.
Raven is survived by the joy of her life: daughter Linnet (Andrew) Frank, of Vancouver; sisters Janet Murie and Norah Byrnes, of Yellow Springs; nephews Jonas Byrnes, of Yellow Springs, and Alex Byrnes, of Washington, D.C.; nieces Rose Byrnes, of Carrboro, N.C., and Olivia Byrnes, of Dayton; and numerous cousins and extended family from around the country.
The Yellow Springs News encourages respectful discussion of this article.
You must login to post a comment.
Don't have a login? Register for a free YSNews.com account.
No comments yet for this article.