Sharron Marie Murphy

Sharron Garvey was born at home to Helen and Paul Garvey, the third of ten children. Growing up in Grosse Pointe Park in a busy household, Sharron was a caretaker from an early age, helping look after her younger siblings. Family trips required two cars, and the kids competed to ride in Sharron’s car because she made travel fun - like they had their own Mary Poppins.

After high school at St. Ambrose, Sharron attended nursing school at St. Joseph Mercy in Ann Arbor and worked at the hospital for a short time. Complicating career plans, while in high school, she had met and fallen in love with Robert (Bob) Murphy. They married in 1962 at St. Clare of Montefalco and immediately began their family of five children, Sharron was an instinctive nurturer and found great joy in her growing family. Family was her touchstone — she had endless patience for infants and children, and kept them entertained with songs, games, and stories. She created a warm and welcoming home for family, friends, and neighbors (and the occasional stranger). She was happiest with the people she loved around her, ideally all with a full plate of food.

She was generous with her time, talents, and energy, channeling much of it into her religious life. Sharron embodied the values of selflessness and service. Her faith drew an expansive circle of love around her, always welcoming, never exclusive. She was an active member of St. Matthew in Detroit and then St. Clare in Grosse Pointe. She volunteered at her children’s schools, helping in art and health classes. She often organized adventures for her family, a favorite was to take a trip to Stratford, Ontario, to enjoy a Shakespeare play in a beautiful setting. When her youngest child was in school, Sharron returned to work as a nurse. In retirement, she acted as a eucharistic minister at Bon Secours/Beaumont Grosse Pointe, adding her kind and patient listening to the sacrament she provided.

Sharron loved art, classical music, flowers and all things beautiful. She nurtured gardens - at her home on Three Mile and at a beloved cottage — and her relationships, along with her faith. She cherished and was adored by her grandchildren. She spent hours making phone calls and writing notes to stay connected to those she loved. It may not be a coincidence that the advance of Alzheimer’s and loss of Sharron’s ability to write her voluminous notes and birthday cards coincided with the financial struggles of the postal service.

She was loved devotedly by Bob throughout their 62 years of marriage. They complemented each other perfectly, working hard as a team to ensure that their family was supported financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Bob cared for Sharron during her final illness and she took great comfort in his presence,

Sharron was admired and deeply loved by husband Robert Murphy; children Catherine (Greg O’Reilly), Terese, Jeanne (Tedd Aurelius), Colleen, and Thomas (Maria Lopez); her 12 grandchildren and great grandchild; siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many extended family members and friends.

Service on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., St. Clare of Montefalco Church, 1401 Whittier Rd, Grosse Pointe Park; visitation begins at 9:30 a.m.