Newsmaker
Monday, April 13, 1998
Name: Patricia Lei Anderson Murray
Age: 55
Achievement: 1998 Hawaii Mother of the Year
Occupation: Part-owner, Native Books and Beautiful Things
When judges quizzed Patricia Lei Anderson Murray about her philosophy as a parent recently, she told them her goal was not to hold onto them, but to release them from the nest. A role model for moms
"Family life is the schoolhouse for being on your own," said Murray, who was selected by the judges to be Hawaii Mother of the Year. The mother of five grown children and grandmother of four will compete for the National Mother of the Year title May 2 in Atlanta at the national convention of American Mothers Inc.
Unlike the pageant that led to her selection as Miss Hawaii in 1962, there is no stage competition. The mothers are judged on the basis of portfolios of their accomplishments and interviews about their opinions on issues families face.
Her goals as mother were "to teach my children to value education, to have a strong work ethic, to overcome obstacles on their own, to be kind and loving, to know there is a God and we are all children of God ... this would prepare them for meeting life's experiences.
She said she and her husband Harry "did a lot of music in our home, a lot of reading, a lot of chores, a lot of cooking. I strongly believe when there's a meal, the television should be turned off. Then you are interested in each other, that's where the challenges can be discussed, that's when discoveries can be shared."
Murray said she was fortunate that she was able to be at home when her children were small, and "had the luxury of choosing the hours" when she pursued her careers.
She has sung professionally for years and, until recently, conducted time management seminars. She is part-owner of Native Books and Beautiful Things, contributing her own quilt work. She is president of the Domestic Violence Clearing House and volunteers in the Seniors Actively Volunteering in Education (SAVE) literacy program.
"Each of our children has been the source of joy and of some challenge. I wouldn't be worth my salt if I said it has been happily ever after. There were some times there ... I lived through it."
Murray is one of the four daughters of Marie Anderson, who now lives in Waimea on the Big Island and "is known as the backbone of our family. From her I learned the lessons of endurance."
"Someone asked me if I get a crown to go with this title," Murray said. "I said my children are the jewels in my crown."
Mary Adamski, Star-Bulletin
