Sally Laux Murphy

Sara "Sally" Laux Murphy, 52, died Thursday, June 11, 2015, in Grosse Pointe, Mich., following an inspiring 34-year battle with multiple sclerosis. She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Paul; daughter, Natalie; mother, Linda Laux; father, David Laux; sisters, Emily Laux and Cynthia Laux Kreidler (Jim); 25 nieces and nephews; and many loving brothers- and sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles and cousins. Mrs. Murphy was born July 1, 1962, in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Chevy Chase, Md. In 1980, she graduated from Stone Ridge High School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, Md. She graduated from Amherst College in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and political science. Mrs. Murphy was diagnosed with MS in 1980, but despite increasing physical challenges, she lived her life fully and without hesitation. Following her graduation from Amherst, she studied neuropsychology at Drexel University, interned with the Johns Hopkins Medical Institution's Neuroscience Department and worked on the landmark National Women's Health and Aging Study in Baltimore. As an adult, she lived in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Connecticut and, since 1999, Grosse Pointe, Mich. She also traveled extensively in France, Ireland, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the Caribbean and beyond. She trekked through the jungles of Southeast Asia on an elephant, enjoyed whale watching in Alaska, kayaked in Lake Michigan, danced the moonwalk and, in the summer of 1988, bicycled across the United States on a tandem bicycle. Later in life, Mrs. Murphy became a champion for literacy. At age 52, she published a children's book, "Silly Sally Goes to the Zoo," in which a young girl in a wheelchair takes a whimsical romp through an imaginary zoo. She served on the Advisory Council of LitWorld, an organization that supports literacy around the world, and was instrumental in LitWorld's decision to establish programs in Detroit. Her family said Sally was a loving wife, devoted daughter, caring sister, loyal friend and, above all, remarkable mother. They said she was a model of strength, grace, laughter and love whose passion for life was a joy to behold. She lived a life of consequence. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack, Grosse Pointe Woods. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon Friday, June 19, at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church, 157 Lakeshore, Grosse Pointe Farms. In Mrs. Murphy's honor, LitWorld will establish a fund in her name. Donations may be made to LitWorld, 222 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10038, or at litworld.org. Include "In memory of Sally Laux Murphy" with any donation. # # #

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe Woods

20705 Mack

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236