I have known Heather Murphey for over 13 years. She was one of my most respected and admired friends. Heather never had a “filter.” She spoke her mind straight from the heart, a trait I always respected.

I first met Heather in 1995, as a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, a medieval/Renaissance organization dedicated to the re-enactment and re-creation of the Middle Ages. Heather had a gift for knitting and crafts and recently informed me I was her inspiration for sewing and costuming, a talent she translated into making handcrafted dolls and doll costumes.

Heather was intelligent, bright and witty. Rarely did I not crack a smile whenever I saw her, anticipating a playful barb or a poignant question. She always brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart.

Heather had always wanted to be a mother. Last week when we met at the local HyVee store in Brookings, a young child passed by pushing a bright green shopping cart and Heather said, “I want one of those.”

I responded, “A small green shopping cart?”

“No,” she joked, “but that would explain my back issues.”

I will miss our spontaneous talks. Our meetings these past three years were mostly impromptu, as we both had busy schedules. However, she always had a way of lifting my heart and leaving me with a smile. Heather will be missed.

Heather Murphey, instructor in the English department, died at age 33 at the Brookings Hospital on Jan. 9, with the cause of death being unknown.

Murphey has been teaching composition since she received her Master of Arts in English from SDSU in 2006.

Kathleen Donovan, head of the English department, sent an email on Jan. 11 to all SDSU staff members informing them of the news.

She said Murphey “passed away unexpectedly.”

On Murphey’s Facebook page, many of her friends wrote goodbye messages on her wall.

“It was always good to sit with you and have a heart to heart,” one said. “Your point blank honesty always impressed me as did your intelligence. I loved your laugh and your smile and all that yarn you were always making!”

Another friend posted a quote by Arthur Schopenhauer, a 19th century philosopher:

“The deep pain that is felt at the death of every friendly soul arises from the feeling that there is in every individual something which is inexpressible, peculiar to him alone, and is, therefore, absolutely and irretrievably lost.”

A memorial service for Murphey will be held at 2 p.m. on Jan. 15 at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.