Margaret Louise Murphy

MURPHY, MARGARET LOUISE, born Margaret Louise York on February 20, 1934, passed peacefully in her daughter, Patricia's home in Holley, New York, on January 8, 2016 at the age of 81. Margaret was born to Ida and Dennis York in Nashville, TN. A graduate of Saint Bernard Academy in 1952, Margaret worked at Saint Thomas Hospital and WSM Radio Station, before marrying her childhood sweetheart Thomas Edward (Tom Ed/Tom) Murphy on December 26, 1953. Tom was in the US Air Force, stationed in Tucson AZ, until his discharge in November 1955, when they returned to Nashville. Together, they grew to enjoy traveling, while moving to Rochester, NY in 1959, to Dayton, OH in 1969, to Buffalo, NY in 1970, back to Dayton in 1976, and back to Rochester in 1978, then back to Dayton in 1985. They visited their families in Nashville frequently before returning after retirement in 1992. They continued their traveling experiences with three cross country extended automobile ventures, and a cruise to Alaska, establishing visits to all fifty states. Margaret and Tom toured several European countries and spent extensive time in Ireland with their Daughter Theresa and friend, Eileen. In celebration of their sixtieth anniversary, they enjoyed a ten day Caribbean Cruise to the Panama Canal from Florida with family members which Margaret thoroughly enjoyed and spoke of often.

Margaret loved music, dancing, singing, and was an accomplished golfer. She gave of her time with the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little Leaguers, and Girl Scouts. And she volunteered as a caregiver at Rochester Community Hospital, and various church committees.

Together, with their reaffirmed Catholic faith as their foundation, they raised their family of five children in the Rochester, Dayton and Buffalo areas. Margaret was a member of Christ the King, St. Edward, and St. Matthew Catholic Churches in Nashville, Holy Cross, Saint John’s and Saint Louis Catholic Churches in the Rochester area, and Saint Anastasia Catholic Church in Fort Pierce, FL. Above all however, her focus on family and creating a loving home was the center of Margaret's life. She loved to encourage and host activities for her family and was a constant source of inspiration to her children and grandchildren. Margaret’s advice was "You can be whatever you want to be, but be the very best at whatever it is you choose to do." She encouraged the new generation to always pursue their dreams and supported their education and pursuit of various talents. Even in advanced age and various health situations, she traveled to see her children and grandchildren from South to North and back, to celebrate life events. Throughout her life she was a role model as a devoted self-sacrificing wife, a caring and loving mother, and grandmother, a giving and true loyal friend and a faith filled woman. An acquaintance once told Margaret she liked her shoes, and Margaret quickly and willingly removed them and offered them to her. She loved to shop with and for her children and grandchildren.

Margaret is pre-deceased by her son Kevin, her brothers, Dennis Jr., John Joseph, James Leslie, and Charles Thomas. She is survived by her husband, Tom of sixty-two years and four children, Thomas (Debbie) Murphy, Michael (Candis) Murphy, Theresa Lynn (John) Matrachisia, and Patricia Ann (Ryan) Klatt. She also is survived by fifteen grandchildren, Kevin, Lauren, Eric, Matthew, Curtis, and Brandon Murphy; Johnny, Dr. Joshua, Jordan, and Jake Matrachisia; Kristen Paris and Sarah, Michael, Jonathan, and Steven Klatt. Additionally, Margaret is survived by a great-grandson Gavin Klatt, and a host of Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting St. Bernard Academy, 2020 24th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212, HOSPICE OF ORLEANS, INC., 14080 Route 31 West, PO Box 489, Albion, NY 14411, or HOSPICE OF ROCHESTER, 3111 Winton Road South, Rochester, NY 14623. A heart felt thank you to Dr. Steven Rich and nurse Lynn Bement, along with the caregivers of THE LANDING OF BRIGHTON, Rochester, NY. Margaret was the Murphy family matriarch and will be dearly missed as the focal point of the entire family.

Preparation by CHRISTOPHER MITCHELL FUNERAL HOMES, INC., Albion, NY for transportation to MARSHALL DONNELLY COMBS FUNERAL HOME, 201 25th Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203. Her family will receive friends Wednesday, January 13, 2016, 3:00PM to 7:00PM at the Saint Matthew Catholic Church, 535 Sneed Road West, Franklin, TN 37069, with The Rosary said at 6:00PM. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00AM on Thursday, January 14, 2016