Holly Elaine Murdock, aged 53 years, passed away on March 30, 2026, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City.
Born on December 20, 1972, at Maude Norton Hospital in Columbus, Kansas, she grew up in a close-knit family as the daughter of Gene Murdock, Beverly, and Donna Murdock. She was the sister of L Dee Murdock, with wife Miranda and Haley Mahon with husband Mark.
She was deeply devoted to her children, Olivia McDown with Jace, Seth Stover, Ruby Stover, and Jonas Stover, and cherished her role as loving Momma Holly to her granddaughter Della Jayne McDown.
A Legacy of Strength in Sport and Health Journey
Holly excelled as a scholar athlete at Columbus Unified High School, graduating in 1991, and continued her basketball career at Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas, and at St Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.
She earned Academic All-American honors and traveled internationally to Estonia in the former Soviet Union and later to São Paulo, Brazil, with select teams.
Murdock completed a biology degree at Pittsburg State University and worked for many years as a registered lab technician at St. John’s Mercy and Maude Norton Hospital in Columbus, Kansas.
She also served on the USD 493 school board for nearly fifteen years and was an active member of Christ Church of Oronogo in Missouri.
During a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer diagnosed eight years earlier, she participated in an MD Anderson clinical trial for BRCA 2-related cancer and became known to her care team as a Unicorn for her resilience.
Her faith and family remained central throughout her life, and she worshipped at Christ Church of Oronogo and traveled with her daughter Ruby on a mission trip to Poland, where they taught English and shared their faith.
She is remembered for her favorite scripture, 1 Peter 5 10, which speaks of restoration, strength, and grace after suffering.
According to family and friends, she will be remembered as a devoted mother, competitive athlete, and faithful servant who impacted her community through sports education and service.
Former coach Danny Albright remembered Holly as one of the most competitive and dedicated athletes he ever coached at Columbus, noting her intensity, skill, and leadership on the field and court.
He recalled her standout performances in basketball, including a thirty-four point game against Caney, and praised her as the first first team all-SEK league softball first baseman in school history.
He also shared how her strength through an eight-year battle with pancreatic cancer inspired many, describing her as a fighter who kept faith and became an inspiration to others facing hardship.
Her life leaves a lasting impact on her family, friends, students, athletes, and all who knew her, reflecting a legacy of love, faith determination, and service.
Those closest to her describe her as a woman who gave generously of herself, supported her community, and lived her beliefs through action in both everyday life and moments of challenge.
We remember her for her strength, compassion, and unwavering faith, and for the joy she brought to every room she entered and every life she touched across her community and beyond.
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