San Rafael

Joanne Murray was raised by her parents Frank and Pauline Denham in Petaluma, CA. She attended Petaluma High School (class of 1944) during which time she was a Rainbow Girl and worked after school in her mothers business, Pauline Denham Yarns. She modeled her mothers designs in catalogs and fashions shows. Her mother Pauline was her best friend and inspired Joanne’s life long love of fashion. She attended University of California, Berkeley where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority. It was during summer break that she met her future husband William P. Murray Jrwhile at her family’s vacation home on the Russian River. In June, 1948 they were married shortly after Joanne’s graduation. Thereafter, Joanne embarked on her career of extensive philanthropy and raising the couples four boys.

For Joanne it was “all about family.” She loved hosting birthday parties and holidays. Family time at their vacation homes at the Russian River and Lake Tahoe was cherished. Eventually she was blessed with four grandchildren who where her pride and joy.

Joanne was known as a Philanthropist and a Marin County volunteer. She was president of Marin Charitable. She served on the board of trustees of Marin General Hospital and the MGH Foundation. She was also president of Council of Volunteers, Marin General Hospital, president of West Bay Area Council (hospital volunteers of Marin, San Francisco and the East Bay), and President of State of California Hospital Volunteers. She also served on the State Board of Trustees of the California Hospital Association. She was also proud of her service to the Boy Scouts as Den Mother for her boys. And of course, she spent many hours supporting her husbands banking career and community service.

Joanne was a member of the Meadow Club, Marin Yacht Club, Ironwood Country Club and Santa Rosa Country Club. In the 1987 Tahoe Concourse d’Elegance at Lake Tahoe, Joanne’s entry earned first place in “Outboard Runabouts and Canoes.” Joanne read three newspapers a day. She did not like spiders or flies!

Joanne is survived by her son Frank Murray and his two daughters Anna Murray and Sophie Murray and their mother Britt Baumbach. She is also survived by two additional grandchildren, Alyssa Murray and William Murray and their mother Catherine Murray. She was preceded in death by her husband William P. Murray Jrand three sons: William Murray III, Stephen Murray and David Murray.

In accordance with her wishes, a private family service was held for her. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Marin Charitable Endowment, C/O Marin Community Foundation, 5 Hamilton Landing, #200, Novato, CA 94949.