Obituary: 'Annie' Murdoch

Ann Louise (Partridge) Murdoch (87) passed from her journey in this life on January 15, 2021. In her last few years she was fortunate to be surrounded many close friends and family who rallied to her side to see her on with love and care.

Known simply as “Annie” she was a part of the Mount Shasta community for six decades as bookkeeper, inn keeper, restaurateur, and eventually landlord but also treasured as friend, and confidant to the many people local and beyond who gravitated to her remarkable kindness, quiet touch, compassion and sympathetic ear.

Born of solid Midwestern stock (Farmers, missionaries, and teachers) in 1933 in Akron, Ohio to Edward and Eleanor “Terry” Partridge, Annie left Akron soon after high school seeking adventure and ended up in Santa Barbara (California’s Riviera) working for Pac

Bell. There on Montecito’s famed Miramar beach she met and was to marry a

former UDT/Navy SEAL and Korean Vet Walter “Felix” Kretchmer. Felix became a California CHP in 1956, they had a son (Chris) in 1957. The CHP took them to Pasadena, back to Santa Barbara, and finally to Yreka.

Divorced not long after, Annie moved to Mount Shasta in 1963 and fell hard for Pat Murdoch a dashing ski Instructor at the newly opened Mt Shasta Ski Bowl, architect of the fledgling Der Wedelin Inn being built on a dream and surplus wood from local Timber mills. Pat was also father to 6 children (Merrily, "Big Chris," Larry, Toni, Mike, Kathleen). Annie and Pat bonded immediately, and permanently, and went about raising a blended family on skiing and sports, hard work, hard play, success by merit, character and the outdoors.

Over the next 40 years Annie kept books for many local businesses as well as the ever expanding family business and was best friend, confidant, employee, co-dreamer and straight man to Pat who was adventurer, risk taker, serial builder, entrepreneur, realtor, developer, visionary, artist and when pressed by Annie, a pragmatist. Annie o en said with great appreciation that that without Pat she would have led a pretty boring life.

In the process Pat and Annie created a rich, varied life for themselves and all those around them, one full of characters, creativity, great conversation, fun, visions, dreams, action, stories, projects, mentoring, struggle (wisdom) and finally success which they generously shared with many others in the family, community and beyond.

In 2010 a er Pat passed, and her life grew slower Annie spent the rest of her life as she always had primarily caring and being there for others, and loving her gardening, her books, her walks, her puzzles, her animals, the mountain, and more than anything else doting on her grandkids (“Grandma Annie”).

Annie’s kindness and lives on through family and spouses Sister Ellen (Partridge) Cleaver, Children Chris Wetmore, Larry and Rainie Murdoch, Mike Murdoch, Toni (Murdoch) and Jim Friden, Chris and Corleen Kretchmer, Kathleen Murdoch; as well as 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank all her dedicated caregivers, particularly Lorraina and Linda with whom Annie bonded particularly closely, and especially Tim who was always there faithfully for both Annie and Pat. Also thanks to all those who made her life and the 60 year Pat/Annie adventure such an amazing ride. Your friendship, help, love, has meant more Annie, Pat and the family during the last six decades than you will ever know.

Due to Covid considerations, a celebration of life will be delayed. We plan to gather at some later date. Please feel free to share your “Annie” memories at mtshastachapel.com.

Donations may be made in memory of Annie Murdoch to Madrone Hospice or the Siskiyou Human Society.