Jeanne Murdock

Jeanne Murdock was the kind of radiant woman that you couldn't help but want to be around, drawing people into her orbit with her personality. With an amazing zest for life, an infectious personality, and a passion for people, Jeanne could brighten any room, through the sheer light of her personality and warmth of her heart.

Jeanne's was a light that burned brightly her whole life, guiding her to countless adventures and numerous passions. And it's a light that still burns brightly today, in the hearts of those who knew her.

Jeanne was born on March 13, 1929, in Anderson, Indiana , the youngest of three children to Felix A. and Norma (Malcolmson) Buck, joining brother Malcolm "Bud" Buck and sister Caroline. Together the Buck Family lived in Anderson where Jeanne led an active childhood. Her dad owned the local ice and coal company, and made sure his family was well provided for. Early on, her family encouraged her to do whatever made her happy, and she was never forced into traditional women's roles. So admittedly, Jeanne became a bit of a "Tom boy" growing up. Her family owned the only basketball hoop on her street, and she used it often. She loved to play softball and go sledding in the winter.

After graduating from Anderson High School in the Class of 1947, Jeanne decided to set out and see some of the world outside of Indiana, heading down to Gulf Park, Mississippi for college. Eventually, she returned to the Hoosier State, where she attended Indiana University. Jeanne enjoyed IU, where she was part of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

Of course, Jeanne had other reasons to like IU, specifically, a young man named Joseph Patrick Murdock. She and Joe met and began dating at Indiana, and it didn't take long for them to fall in love. The two married on June 9, 1950, and moved for a short while to Illinois. Eventually, Joe moved himself and his new bride to Indianapolis for work, and to start a family with Jeanne.

Over the next 15 years, Jeanne and Joe welcomed four children into the world - Susan, Marcia, Mary Jo and Michael. Jeanne was a tender, caring wife and mother who always put her family's needs first. She was a strong woman, who could be stubborn, but was also very giving and loving. She and Joe shared the disciplinarian role in the Murdock household, making sure their children saw each of them as fair and the two as a united team. However, while Joe was at work, Jeanne was the true caretaker, in every sense of the word.

Yet Jeanne remained a unique, energetic and vibrant individual, with so many loves and interests of her own. She was always a classy lady, who had an innate integrity, and honesty, that drew people to her.

Jeanne was interested in everything, with a true zest and curiosity for life. She loved to garden and "dig in the dirt." She was also passionate about birds, animals and nature. She had many animals around her growing up, and kept that fondness with her throughout her life. She loved dogs, in particular, and often had favorite dogs in her life.

But Jeanne's loves didn't stop there. She also enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, and bowling, participating in a bowling league for many years. But what Jeanne loved more than anything, it seemed, were new experiences. She had such a vibrant passion of life, of the unknown. The adventurous Jeanne would try anything. She would take classes in her spare time to learn whatever seemed interesting, everything from upholstery to photography.

She also loved to travel. Together with Joe, Jeanne took many trips internationally, and traveled to every continent on earth, except Antarctica . The two of them enjoyed experiencing new cultures, new people, and new passions. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Kentucky with the entire family. Just prior to Joe's death in 2003, another very memorable trip involved the whole family vacationing near Key West, Florida .

While Jeanne had such a passion for the "Big Picture," she never lost sight of what was right in front of her, either. She had a deep love for the simple things in life, as well, and appreciated what she had. Her kids always joked that her social life consisted of bowling, playing cards and her weekly hair appointment! But for a woman who loved the unknown as much as Jeanne did, she also loved the stability of the familiar.

Jeanne lived in the same home for 48 years, adding on several times, but stayed in the same neighborhood and house. She loved to garden there, and when she couldn't garden anymore, grew a love for cooking shows on television. She learned the culinary arts with the same passion she had for everything else.

Jeanne had many passions, but more than anything, Jeanne loved her family. Some of her fondest memories were gathering her family together at her lake cottage on Lake Webster in northern Indiana. Jeanne always loved the lake, and she and Joe bought their first cottage in 1966. But the Lake Webster cottage was special. Jeanne loved that retreat so much, and wanted to share it with her family. She wanted to make sure everyone had their own bed at the lake, ensuring that everyone was comfortable and welcome. This past Labor Day was special to her, spending it at the cottage, with her whole family. She enjoyed having her grandchildren visit there, they were her pride and joy, of course. But the lake was Jeanne's haven, and some wonderful family memories were always created there.

Jeanne created wonderful memories everywhere she went, with whomever she met along the way. She was a bright light, you see, a light that shined in every corner of the globe. Today that light shines on, ever so brightly, in the hearts of all who knew her.

Jeanne Ellen Buck Murdock, 76, Indianapolis , died September 26, 2005. She was the widow of Joseph P. Murdock who preceded her in death in 2003. Survivors include her children, Susan Conrad (Loren), Marcia Weiss (Terry), Mary Jo Garrison (Tom), and Michael Murdock (Sally); sister, Caroline Woodyard; grandchildren, Matt Conrad (Jessica), Ashley Ravensberg (Bob), Ryan, Amy, and Ally Conrad; Chris, Jessica, and Emily Weiss; Lindsay, Ryan, Jennifer, Cline; Joseph Murdock; great grandchild, Carter Klein. Friends and family will gather on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Leppert Life Story Funeral Home, Nora Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday in the Milner Chapel at Second Presbyterian Church, followed by interment at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens . Memorial contribution may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.