The Au Pair from Stockholm who fell in love with and later married Declan (Irish name meaning Man of Goodness) a Bond Trader, built a family, started the Swedish School in Marin while working as Support Specialist Accounting Manager of an interstate Travel Agency
Oldest son is Sebastian Murphy, lead singer and songwriter for Sweden’s leading punk Rock Band, embraced by DN.s music critics as a cultural icon.
Where were you born? Tell us about your family.
I was born in Stockholm Sweden where my 3 siblings still live with their families. My oldest son, Sebastian, also lives in Stockholm with my sister and he is an artist. My daughter, Jannicka lives in Bonn Germany and works for FSC (forest management). My youngest son, Aidan, is in school at Cal State Long Beach. My Husband works as a trader at Federal Home Loan Bank, SF. We live in San Rafael.
When did you move to US/Bay Area? How did you find the Church of Sweden in SF? What have you been working with?
When I first came here as an au pair in 1982 it was very nice to visit the Swedish church and feel a Swedish connection. After my job as a nanny, I went back to Sweden and worked over the summer. I moved back here in 1984 to Mill Valley. I had met my husband in 1982 and we moved in together when I moved back here. We got married in 1986 in Ross here in Marin County.
I got involved with the travel industry because the family I was a nanny for owned one. They offered me a job at their agency when I came back from Sweden.
Currently I work for Andavo Travel in the accounting department. We used to have an office in Larkspur Landing before covid but now we all work from home. The main office is in Salt Lake City.
On top of your work, you also founded a Swedish School. Tell us more!
I I started the Swedish school in Marin around 2006. The school had a good relationship with the church. The priests came to visit the school and sang songs and talked about traditions and so on. Kristina Bunger and I got in contact around this time since she was starting the Scandinavian School in San Francisco . Kristina and I have since met at different Swedish functions and become good friends.
How did you meet Lisa Wiborg?
I met Lisa Wiborg many years ago at the Swea’s Christmas Fair. My mom was also there helping out. Lisa never forgot to fold the tablecloths with my mom. I became a very close friend with Lisa these past years. Lisa and I often did outings on the weekends. One of them was visiting her good friend, Margaretha Miglo . Margaretha was in different hospitals and retirement homes during this time so we went all over the city. Lisa and I both hated littering. We often picked up garbage on our outings. Lisa with her cane or she pointed out garbage for me to pick up. Lisa and I also enjoyed our Fika moments with Inger Vida. I know Inger Vida from SWEA and from her regular Lisa Wiborg visits.
What are your passions and interests? What about travelling?
I love traveling. My most recent trip was to Punta Mita in Mexico. My husband and I went to Mexico City a couple of years ago to watch Viagra boys at a huge festival. That was an incredible experience. I also go back to Sweden at least once a year. I don’t go there as often anymore since my parents passed away.
I love being out in the nature. My favorite is to walk on the beach or be on the water in a boat. I love helping people out. I have always volunteered at different places and that gives me a good feeling.
If you ask me what my passion is it would be; helping people, picking up garbage and children.
What can we as a church do better to reach out and support children, youth, young families and the elderly
I think that the church is doing a wonderful job. As far as getting more people involved in the church, I’m not sure but would love to see what can be done. Maybe the church is already doing this but my idea is to do more visits in retirement homes and Swedish schools. Also make a TIK TOK account. All young people watch TIK TOK.