Barbara Jean Murphy

She was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on October 10, 1920 and was the daughter of Herbert and Marjorie Arfken. After the death of her parents at the young age of 15 she was raised by her brother Alan under the watchful eye of her grandmother.

She married Charles Murphy Sr. the love of her life on September 18, 1949. They had a wonderful life together residing in Jersey City, NJ and running the family business. She was very active in Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church working in the school library and the rosary society.

She was a career mom, but also spent many years working for Esso and Tug and Barge Dry Docks in Jersey City and both her and Charles retired to Mesa, AZ in 1985.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Sr. and her brother Alan Arfken. She is survived by her sons Charles Jr. (Kathy) of Chandler, AZ and Donald (Janis) of Lake Jackson, TX and grandchildren Charles III, Jennifer, Scott (Chandler, AZ) and Robyn, April of Lake Jackson, TX.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Clare Bridge Tempe for their outstanding care provided to Barbara over the past four years and also Hospice of the Valley at Friendship Village during the final days of her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Arizona Humane Society would be greatly appreciated.