Maureen Murphy

Maureen Murphy passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, May 20, 2020 after living her fabulous life to the absolute fullest but unfortunately cut short after she received a diagnosis of cancer in 2013.

Maureen was born on July 19, 1960 at Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago, Illinois to Jim and Dorothy Murphy. Maureen was baptized Catholic at St. Sabina, educated in the Catholic faith at Visitation, Little Flower, St. Joseph and St Ann School and graduated high school at Lourdes High School. She also attended DePaul University. Maureen was a dedicated administrative professional at Central Steel and Wire, retiring after 35 years of service in 2019. It was at Central that she met John who she would spend the next 20 years with by her side along with wonderful co-workers who became lifelong friends.

Maureen lived her life for her family and friends. She had the biggest and most generous heart even on her toughest days-she always asked how “you” were doing. Her loyalty and love never differentiated between loved ones who were “blood” related-her friends were equally her sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces and nephews. Thus, all those loved ones that survive her are truly known as her family. Maureen particularly loved Sarah, who was Maureen’s first Godchild, as if she were her own daughter. Maureen had a special place in her heart for all of her Godchildren, as well as her niece and nephews who she bragged about endlessly.

Maureen’s hobbies and loves were all about celebrating life whether it be at neighborhood fests, crawls, concerts, parties, birthdays and of course St. Paddy’s day. Maureen is known by all of her family as the toughest South Side Irish Princess who exhibited the strength, courage and tenacity of Jack Dempsey as she took on her colossal health battles. Cancer was never a match for Maureen. She exhibited the beauty, grace, courage and everlasting faith learned from her parents and the generations before. Maureen never gave up, drawing help from her faith and God and the love and support of her family in her many times of need. However, God decided it was time, and took her peacefully home to her parents, grandparents, aunts and cousins at 5:32 pm on Wednesday.

Maureen leaves the following to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy: Loving companion, John Clark; dearest sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne and Tom Zelten; beloved nephews and niece Steven (Maria) Zelten, Katie (Ben Fallon) and Jimmy (Mati Ardis); special sister Maureen Mascha and blessed Godmother to Sarah (Paulson) Martinez. Maureen also leaves behind many “brothers, sisters”, loving cousins and her Aunt Bernice Dillon. Her father, James Francis Murphy and mother, Dorothy Ann (Dillon) Murphy and brother, Baby Joseph were among the first to greet her in paradise.

Maureen’s family would like to thank Dr. Amar Hamad, Addie, Lena and all the other wonderful nurses and staff for their wonderful care and love. Dr Hamad, the nursing and office staff as well as the nurses at the infusion center always treated Maureen with dignity and kindness, and became an extension of her “family”. In addition, the family would also like to extend much gratitude to Dr Sammy Nawas and Dr Araceli Feria for all their care and kindness along Maureen’s journey.