MURILLO,
Catherine Agnes
(Maiden Name: Esquibel)
Kingman Daily Miner, Kingman, AZ -
Published on May 22, 2014 -
Catherine (Katie) Agnes Murillo passed away peacefully on Monday, May
12, 2014, with her family by her side. Katie was born March 22, 1933, in
Kingman to Ygnacio and Dolores (Padilla) Esquibel.
Katie's childhood years were spent in Kingman and Oatman, where her
father worked as a miner at the Gold Road and Feldspar mines, and as a
bellhop at the Beale Hotel. Her fondest memories were the times she
spent on Jim and Lola Benegas' ranch along the Big Sandy River in
Wikieup. It was there that she learned her love of animals, close family
and nature. Katie's mother, Lola, instilled in her the art of
storytelling, cooking and her devout Catholic faith. From her father she
learned to make every day a celebration.
Katie graduated from Mohave County Union High School (Kingman) in 1952,
then attended St. Mary's School of Nursing in Tucson, where she met many
of her lifelong friends. Upon graduation, she worked for a short time in
Douglas before accepting a position as assistant director of nursing at
the Flagstaff Medical Center.
Katie married Joseph Murillo in 1957 and returned to Kingman, where she
worked as an ER nurse at the Mohave County Hospital. After the birth of
her two children, she took a position as school nurse for Palo Christi
Elementary School. Katie retired in 1990 after 28 years at Palo Christi
and filled her life with family, cooking, gardening, reading, travel,
taking care of the many cats and dogs who graced her home, and enjoying
all the outdoor wildlife she so loved.
Catherine is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Refugio
Esquibel; and sisters, Lucy Tapia and Irene Asabes. She is survived by
her husband, Joseph Sr., of 57 years; son, Joseph Jr. (Conny) of
Scottsdale; daughter, Carla Murillo; grandson, Payton Murillo of
Bloomington, Ill.; and brother, Joseph Esquibel of Concho. She is
further survived by many nieces, nephews and other relatives and
friends.
Katie will be forever in our hearts and we miss her more than words can
express. A celebration of her life is planned for a later date to be
announced.