Martha Elizabeth Cameron Murphy

Martha Elizabeth ""Betty"" Cameron Murphy, 89, of Wilmington, NC, died at her home with family at her side on January 27, 2012. Betty was born in Brunswick, GA., on April 15, 1922, to Percival Kempton Cameron and Emily Roberta Wickham Cameron. She grew up in Chicago, IL and Denver, CO. Betty spent most of her adult life in Brooklyn, NY and Bethesda, MD. Her husband of 66 years, Patrick Vincent Murphy, Sr., preceded her in death on December 16, 2011. He was a World War II Navy veteran, and a prominent national figure in the law enforcement community. Betty was also preceded in death by her first husband, Lt. D'Olive Durant, Jr. of Mobile, AL, a US Navy pilot lost at sea during World War II, and her brother, Robert M. Cameron of Chicago, IL. Betty is survived by eight children, Sallie E. Kelley and husband, Thomas, of Jacksonville, FL, Patrick V. Murphy, Jr. and wife, Jean, of Drayden, MD, Eileen M. Karam and husband, Bernard, and Anne M. Zabriskie and husband, Drew, both of Wilmington, NC, Kevin C. Murphy and wife, Virginia, of Fayetteville, NY, Gerard R. Murphy and wife, Jeanne, of Ellicott City, MD, Paul J. Murphy and wife, Sally, of Grosse Point, MI, and Mark F. Murphy and wife, Nancy, of Westwood, MA; twenty-one grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; her sister, Marsha Hirschman of Jacksonville, FL; and several nieces and nephews. Betty and her husband met and were married in Norfolk, VA in 1945. They were devoted to each other and their long and loving marriage was an inspiration to their family and friends. Betty's greatest joy was to share in the lives of her children. She converted to Catholicism as an adult, and her faith became a central part of her life. She was a 25-year member of the St. Bartholomew's Church Choir in Bethesda, MD. She traveled worldwide with her husband; was an avid reader; and loved to entertain. Her gregarious and caring spirit will be greatly missed. A Mass of the Resurrection will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at St. Mark Catholic Church with Rev. Steven Carlson officiating. Inurnment will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401, or a charity of one's choice.