It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved founder, Olga Murray. She passed peacefully at her home in Sausalito, California, on February 20, 2024. Olga leaves behind a tremendous legacy in the Nepal Youth Foundation—over 34 years of work that was made possible through your belief in her vision and your support for this worthy cause. She will be deeply missed by the entire NYF Community, including our global staff and board of advisors, as well as the thousands of students, individuals, children, and community members she served and partnered with in Nepal.

In this time of mourning, we invite you to celebrate Olga’s life and legacy on this memorial page, where you may view photos, share memories or condolence messages, and read about her incredible impact. Over the coming weeks, we will continue to update this page with information as it becomes available, including other ways to honor Olga’s legacy.

In keeping with Olga’s wishes, services will be private. Nepal Youth Foundation will be hosting a celebration of Olga’s extraordinary life and commitment to the children of Nepal as part of Founder’s Day on May 30.

Olga Murray leaves behind a tremendous legacy—both within and beyond the Nepal Youth Foundation. Take a look below to see how Olga has touched the lives of so many of our community members.

Do you have a story, photo, and/or message you’d like to share in celebration of Olga’s life? Join us in sharing your tribute here.

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“Some women fall in love with men—I fall in love with countries. In 1984, approaching the age of retirement as a research attorney at the California Supreme Court, I visited Nepal to go trekking in the Himalayas. Totally unexpectedly, I discovered a country and a cause to which I would devote the rest of my life. I was almost 60, and perhaps subconsciously, I was searching for something worthwhile to do following my retirement. After returning to my sleeping bag one night, in a flash, I knew for certain what it was—somehow, I would find a way to educate Nepali children. American dollars go a long way in Nepal, and I realized that for the price of a good haircut back in the States, I could make a significant difference in a child’s life in Nepal.”

“And then I think of my first trip to Nepal and the astounding, unexpected discovery of what would become my life’s work—and the intense joy and sense of fulfillment resulting from that insight. As I nod off to sleep, I think to myself, ‘How lucky can an old lady get?'”