Murray Sisters Fire Recovery Fund

Thank you to Lori Berberian Pelentay for starting this page for us. Her original story post is below. The following fire story is written in the words of Barbara Murray, while living at 6908 Sesame street, Paradise, CA 2018:

There was a pounding on my door at 7 AM. “Barb, wake up! The FLAMES are here. Get out! No packing! Get in your car and back out.” More pounding. I hurried to put a dress on and by the time I opened my door a man with dark hair and a plaid shirt waved to me as he ran to the neighbors. The yard was filled with smoke. There was a flame so bright behind my neighbors house I thought it was the sunrise... only in the wrong place. What scared me the most was the sound of the ashes hitting the ground; it was like the plop of heavy snow. The only thing I grabbed was a portable DVD player and a bag of mail I knew had videos. The traffic was crazy. Cars and panic and people. It took hours to go to the near by town of Gridley, so I pulled into a McDonalds. There was a lady there who was shaking her head and said, “I left so fast I didn’t even grab my teeth.” I looked down and said, “I left so fast my dress is on inside out.” We all laughed. What else can you do?

If you knew me you would be surprised I did not grab my Yoda backpack. I know, I’m 67 years old but Yoda represents my return of my sense of humor. I lost it due to anger after the Unabomber killed my brother. It was actually Albert Einstein who said, “The ideals that have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty and Truth”. When I found out Yoda was modeled after Einstein.. it made me smile. The truth is that I am alive and all that I lost to the insane fire was stuff. I have memories and people who love me. I get ah ha moments, like my photos, my movie collection, my wedding dresses, my books, etc. Make that ETC. I had a suitcase in the car but all the clothes (except my painter work clothes, thank God) were in the laundry. So I can claim an empty suit case, one dress, a pair of sandals, a DVD player and a bag of mail… and my car.  My car that is now my home. The good thing about this devastating tragedy is the kindness of people, family and friends whose help offers HOPE. I hope to visit Montana to see the daughter I found after 40 years of adoption and spend our first Christmas together, ever.


Original Story Post:
My name is Lori Berberian Pelentay, and my dear friends, Jan Tuck and Barbara Murray lost their home in the terrible fire in Paradise, California. Unfortunately, when the house changed title into their names (when their mother passed away) the insurance companies refused to insure the house because it was in a high fire danger area. Barbara escaped with just the dress on her back, a cell phone and her car. Absolutely everything else she owned was decimated in the fire... Not to mention all of Jan and Barbara's memories from growing up. We are trying to raise money for a computer and a Intuos drawing tablet so Barb can work again...she is a hospice nurse, published author and master artist. She also needs help with just the basic necessities of life, such as clothes...eventually, the sisters would like to rebuild, even if it is a trailer home. Jan uses a wheelchair and needs a home that has ramps and accessible doorways. Can you help the Murray sisters? Anything would be greatly appreciated!