Videos Login Subscribe Renew E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
Elita Mallers Murphy
Elita Mallers Murphy
Obituaries
By News Staff, on September 28, 2022
Elita Mallers Murphy

The world lost an incredibly special lady, as Elita Mallers Murphy passed away on September 8th, 2022. It was a beautiful Colorado day.

Elita was born April 26, 1930, to John B. Mallers and Elita Elizabeth Esch in Chicago, IL. She spent most of her childhood in Lake Forest, IL with cherished summers in Nopeming, a large family retreat in the woods of Northern Minnesota. It was there she developed a great love of adventure and the outdoors, as she so enjoyed to camp and fish with her two brothers, John and Bob.

After studying Art History and the art of water skiing at Florida Southern University, Elita burst into the world of tennis where she entered, and won many city and state tournaments. While playing tennis she met her future husband, Charles F. Murphy Jr., whom she married in 1954.

For years Elita travelled the world and was very active with Chicago based charity organizations, especially with The American Red Cross and The American Cancer Society. She also made quite a splash on the fashion scene and was often captured by newspapers and magazines wearing cutting edge designs. Time Magazine documented Elita as wearing the first dressy pantsuit in Chicago in 1966. That segment that was distributed worldwide in 1966.

During that time she had her oldest daughter and namesake, Elita, followed by her son Charlie and daughter Marisa, each seven years apart. In 1968 the family bought a house in Aspen where she truly embraced that lifestyle and became known as ‘Mountain Mama.’ After her divorce in 1972, Elita raised her three children in the fresh mountain air, and they spent much time skiing, biking, and hiking.

In 1982 Elita moved to La Jolla to be ‘Barefoot on the Beach.’ She was often spotted tootling around in her 1971 green 280SE Mercedes with the top down. She began another chapter filled with tennis, fashion and a continuous gathering of fun and deeply interesting people with whom she celebrated life on and off the court.

Elita returned to Colorado in 2009 to be close to her daughter, Marisa, and many friends. She remained highly social, genuinely enjoying life with good food and excellent champagne.

She will be remembered for her love of people, her sharing of a rich life through photographs, and her infectious bounce and enthusiasm. One of her favorite quotes was: “Just outside your door is a lifetime of adventure.’

Elita is survived by her daughter Elita Murphy, son Charles F. Murphy III, daughter Marisa Murphy and her highly prized granddaughter Paula Pelavin.

Those wishing to make a contribution in her memory may contribute to The American Red Cross.

No ifs, ands or bucks
Main, News...
No ifs, ands or bucks
September 3, 2025
this is a test
Senator gets earful from local leaders
Main, News...
Senator gets earful from local leaders
In face of funding turmoil, Hickenlooper urges officials to find creative solutions
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 3, 2025
U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper encouraged local nonprofit leaders and public officials to persevere, find ways to do more with less money and look for opportunities to change systems during a visit to Ou...
this is a test
Reality varies from initial vision
News
SPACE TO CREATE: THREE YEARS LATER
Reality varies from initial vision
Is Ouray County's first affordable housing project a success? It depends on who you ask.
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 3, 2025
Three years after Space to Create opened in Ridgway, Ouray County’s affordable housing guinea pig is a bit of a mixed bag for residents and the public. The 30-unit apartment building on Clinton Street...
this is a test
News
Two vying for Ouray mayor; one seeking council
By Mike Wiggins 
September 3, 2025
There will be some new faces in new places on the Ouray City Council by the end of this year. City councilors Tamara Gulde and Michael Underwood will square off to replace Mayor Ethan Funk during the ...
this is a test
News
Ridgway adopts policy to limit info provided to ICE
September 3, 2025
The Ridgway School District has adopted a policy protecting the information of students, parents, relatives and guardians in situations concerning federal immigration enforcement. Ridgway Superintende...
this is a test
News
Red Mountain Pass delays scheduled
September 3, 2025
Motorists traveling over Red Mountain Pass should expect lengthy weekday delays starting this week, as San Miguel Power Association continues to rebuild its power line on the pass. A roughly three-mil...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
News
Ridgway students seek volunteers for oral history project
September 3, 2025
The Global Issues and U.S. History classes at Ridgway Secondary School are seeking volunteers to be interviewed for a history project. The courses, taught by Craig Spearman and Ben Fibbe, include a pr...
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Let it be known: Care must come before cuts
By Dear Editor: 
September 3, 2025
I just watched (well, when I first wrote this) the president of the U.S. meet with seven key European leaders, along with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. They were obsequiously complimentary and the U....
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
Highway near Billy Creek can be improved
By Dear Editor: 
September 3, 2025
The article regarding all the accidents on U.S. Highway 550 left the impression that little could be done. That is probably true on the section south of Ouray where there isn’t room for a guardrail. B...
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Don’t allow U.S. 550 to become like ‘Killer 82’
By Dear Editor: 
September 3, 2025
Whether local or visitor, commuter or sightseer, we are all affected by the tragic fatalities, devastating injuries and, yes, even the miraculous walkaways associated with this summer’s rash of vehicu...
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Honor Labor Day, remember working families
By Dear Editor: 
September 3, 2025
Each year, our community gathers to celebrate Labor Day — a holiday meant to honor the sacrifices and victories of working people in America. But as I watched this year’s parade, I couldn’t help but n...
this is a test
Facebook

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

195 S Lena St. Unit D
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Ouray County Plaindealer

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy