The primary purpose of this weekend was a combined family reunion and memorial weekend for several departed members of Katie’s extended family. I’ve long been fascinated by her family’s history, it being so different from my own. There are tangible elements of her roots that one can go and see, and touch. The family mountain, and the house in Parsons have been very special to her for her whole life, and this weekend, I got the chance to learn more about them.
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| Andrew Pifer, for whom Pifer Mountain is named, donated the land for the church and cemetery where he now lies. |
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| Robert Fulton Murphy wished to marry Keturah Catherine Pifer, thus granting him access to the substantial land holdings of the Pifer family. As legend would have it, Andrew Pifer refused to grant her hand, on account of Murphy being a Democrat. The latter went away, but later returned, claiming a change of heart (and party affiliation), and was allowed to marry Keturah. |
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| The memorial and interment of ashes of Katie’s paternal grandmother, Elsie Rollenhagen. We were all brightly dressed for the occasion, which seemed entirely appropriate to the sunny disposition of the woman I heard described. |
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| Finally, the gravestone of Ethne Murphy, Katie’s paternal great-grandmother, from whom she takes her beautiful middle name. |
