Lifelong Montesano resident Louisa (Capriotti) Murphie died at home on April 22, 2020, at the age of 82. She was born on Sept. 9, 1937, in Aberdeen, Washington, to Joseph and Eleanor Capriotti.

She went to school in Montesano, graduating in 1955. After graduation, she worked at Foster Company in Hoquiam and Harbor Hardware in Aberdeen. She married Donald Murphie, also of Montesano, on May 21, 1959. They spent most of the next 60 years in Montesano, where they raised three children.

Louisa was an accomplished artist, winning many ribbons at the county fair. Some of her paintings were displayed at the Hank Taylor Gallery in Montesano where she also spent many hours volunteering. She was a member of the Grays Harbor Art League and Will Walk for Busz, a Relay for Life team named after her daughter Mary Busz who died of breast cancer at age 37. She volunteered with Hope from Horses and the Montesano Food Bank and worked for Grays Harbor County Elections for several years.

In the 80’s and 90’s, the Murphie’s traveled with the Hume Street Preservation Jazz Band of which Don was a member. They attended jazz festivals all over Washington, as well as Connecticut, California, and Montana.

Louisa was a big sports fan and attended many games where family members were playing. She also enjoyed watching sports on television, especially the Mariners and Seahawks.

Her yard was always full of birds, many varieties, and other wildlife. She enjoyed feeding them all. She also loved her flower gardens and would make beautiful flower arrangements.

Louisa is survived by her husband Don, her daughter Ann Gates and son John Murphie all of Montesano. She is also survived by her two sisters, Julie Johnson (Ray) of Maple Valley and Jo Ann Perkins of Central Park, as well as two grandchildren, Joshua Holbrook and Steven Spurgeon-Busz (Kelsey), and numerous nieces and nephews.

To share memories or express condolences, please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com. Contributions can be made to the Montesano Volunteer Firefighter’s Association and/or PAWS of Grays Harbor. Arrangements by Harrison Family Mortuary of Aberdeen.

No services are planned at this time due to the Coronavirus pandemic.