PICTORIAL PAGES Orrel's front page Mother of three Six grandchildren Picnic at Pamela's, 1998 Play yard for the dogs Bridesmaid for Nancy DOCUMENTS Obituary for Orrel Frost Memorial Service Orrel's Family Updates 50th Anniversary tributes |
Tributes and Remembrances from the Muse Family Valerie Davidson, 2/10/04: Mom, I was so sorry to hear this sad, sad news. It just seems so inconceivable that such an alive person could be suddenly called from this world. I am weeping for her family and for you for this loss. I am deeply grateful that I saw her so recently in Massachusetts, and even for me there was that element of timeless connection. I regret that my responsibilities at this time leave me so overwhelmed that I can't take more time to celebrate her greatness of spirit and life, but I am infusing this brief message with all that my heart can hold. And Dad, I don't forget what this loss means to you, as well. Times like these are painful reminders to all of us of just how tenuous our earthly ties can ultimately be. I share in your grief and hold you both in my heart at this sad time. Roy Murdock and family, 2/10/04: My sincere condolences. Here is the e-mail I sent to Charlie and Derek. I am in shock. And my heart goes out to you two, and especially you, Mom, in the sudden passing of your dear friend Orrel. Next to Dad, I believe she is the best friend you ever had. It's a terrible loss. Dear Charlie and Derek, My sincere and heartfelt condolences in the sudden passing of our dear family friend and your wife and mother, Orrel. She died way too soon and will be terribly missed. I am in shock. I had just read the Murdock Muse again earlier tonight and read her update of the Frost family. I can picture her as if I had seen her yesterday. I remember fondly a great Thanksgiving meal at your house. She was so close to our family that I called her Aunt Orrel even though she was no relation. I will remember her always as a kind and intelligent woman, a great cook, and my mother's best friend in life. I am so sorry for your great loss. Meredith Murdock, 2/10/04: Orrel treated me like a niece, and I just think she was a fantastic person. The first time I visited the Frosts we went to the Smithsonian and she made a point of showing us an amazing dollhouse. On another visit I recall reading Nancy Drew stories before going to the museums. On that same visit, Orrel cooked the best curried garbanzo dish anywhere and served it with homemade puri or roti (I never can remember the difference). I have dreamed of that dinner more times than I care to say! Another day Orrel, Charlie, my parents and I all watched a special about China and had some fine discussions. By the way, Orrel was partially responsible for my love of cats. I believe my first cat, Bambi, was a descendent of her kitties. Orrel was a great lady, and will definitely be missed. Polly Soberg, 2/11/04: Hi Nan, I'm very sorry to hear about Orrel. I'm glad I got to see her at your anniversary. It gave me a chance to once again talk about the delicious cupcakes she made to take to the beach and carried in heavy pyrex dishes. Valerie, who was just a baby in a carriage, was also carried over the dunes. Although I didn't know Orrel very well, I do know you were very happy to have her as a good friend in high school. I think maybe she was your first really good "girl" friend. It's especially sad that she had a traumatic ending to a wonderful life. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Bob, and her family. Priscilla Januskiewicz, 2/17/04: We were saddened by the news about Orrel Frost. We will miss the interesting letters she wrote. Our prayers are with her family and friends. Ian Murdock Dear Uncle Charlie, I am writing to express to you my feelings of extreme, deeply felt sorrow in this most difficult of times for you. As the son of Nancy and Robert Murdock, Aunt Orrel (as I have always referred to her) was and is a real part of the fabric of my life. As my mother's oft-proclaimed best friend for over half a century, she influenced and inspired Mom in more ways than anyone will ever know, and many of those same virtues and lessons have undoubtedly made their way into my soul, and are being passed down to my sons and daughters and beyond. My four siblings and their descendants have been likewise blessed. In this way, I know that Aunt Orrel will never be completely gone. It pains me greatly to know that I was unable to fully convey in words, when I had a chance to do so in Gardner, how much light she shared with Mom and thereby with my whole family. I hope that she got at least the gist of what I attempted, so ineptly and ineloquently, to get across. The passing of a woman of her uncommon grace and intellect is a tragedy for humanity as a whole, as well as for those who knew her personally. From the time they were early teens onward, Aunt Orrel was so ever-present in Mom's mind that when I was a young boy in Minnesota I believed for years, based on their correspondence and Mom's reminiscences, that they were actually sisters. Aunt Orrel surely had a similar effect on everyone who knew her, and she must have amassed many, many friends in her six dozen years on Earth. To say that she will be sorely missed by a great number of people is an understatement that proves the limitations of written language. The sense of loss and pain that the Frost family, and you in particular, must feel at this time is beyond imagining. Although I could not be there in person to pay my respects at the memorial in York Harbor, I want you to know that in spirit I was and I am with you, Derek, Pam, Stephanie, and the other survivors, young and old. I will keep you all, and especially Aunt Orrel, in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless, Ian Murdock Note from Nancy: Ian, the Master of Ceremonies for our 50th anniversary celebration, introduced Orrel as "the only person who has loved my mother longer than my father has." Born 11/4/1931, Died 02/10/2004 Nancy Murdock A lovely lady has died, and a piece of me has gone with her. Orrel Handy became my best friend in Athol High School, where we met at age 13. She was a sweet person, and I wanted to be like her. We sat near each other in all our classes, where we could pass notes, smile at each other's intelligent answers in class, and make plans to meet at lunchtime. Study period was a great place to make our lists of favorite boys and compare them. After two years, the Hubbardston kids were sent to Gardner High School, and Orrel went to England for a year. We began a correspondence that lasted the rest of her life. Orrel went to college when she returned, and I got engaged a few days after my high school graduation. She graciously agreed to be my bridesmaid in September 1950, and Bob and I attended her wedding to Charlie Frost the following June. Our letter writing was punctuated by visits when we passed near each other as both families moved around the country and the Frosts moved around the world. Four times we actually lived near each other: once in the Boston area, and three times in the MD-VA area, as Charlie pursued a career with the Government and Bob worked for companies with Government contracts. It never mattered how far apart our visits were; it was always as if we had seen each other within the week. We quickly picked up the conversation and had a great time visiting. Our children enjoyed each other's company also. Ours was a rare friendship. The children grew up, careers changed or ended, and the two couples continued to plan time together in the golden years. It was great after Bob and I moved to MD and the Frosts retired to ME, where we could visit them as part of our trips to catch up with relatives in New England. They built a beautiful home in Cape Neddick, and Orrel put her distinctive decorating stamp on this fine place. One year she asked me to arrange a large number of framed photographs on her upstairs hall wall. Of course, naturally she had to beg me to do something I enjoyed so much! Orrel and Charlie took us around to all the gorgeous nature spots, including their own property. Twice we arrived during the height of Lady's Slipper season, and Orrel pointed out every known clump of them as we toured the woods. I got some great photos for possible quilt or painting inspiration. I will never see another Lady's Slipper without recalling those walks with Orrel as our guide. The woods were the scene of Orrel's downfall. Walking a neighbor's dog along their private road, she followed the dog as it chased a small animal down an icy path in the woods. Unable to stop, she crashed into a large rock and badly broke her shoulder. A week later, as she was in surgery to repair the shattered shoulder, her heart gave out and she slipped away. I still find it difficult to believe that I won't open the email and find a note from Orrel. From the Murdock Muse, March-April 2004 Bob Murdock, 22 May 2004 Orrel was the perfect hostess, making Nancy and me feel totally at home any time we visited. Her cooking was superb, especially when she and Nan prepared an international feast. One of my favorite recipes in the Muse cookbook is Orrel's pea soup. "You can sautee the vegetables in butter or ghee," she said. "But I heartily recommend the ghee." One thing I especially appreciated was how Orrel often took my side of an issue. We were clearing the dining table one time, and Nan mentioned how I insisted on rinsing every item before putting it in the dishwasher. "Oh Nancy, I always rinse everything!" said Orrel. The visits with Orrel are gone, but the memories are eternal. |
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