Mary Fielder Murphy

Mary Lou was born January 21, 1931 in Potsdam, NY and was raised in Potsdam and Syracuse, NY. She was a graduate of Syracuse University where she was her sorority’s president. She married her college sweetheart, Charles Murphy, shortly after graduation. While Chuck was in the Navy, she spent 2 years in Quincy, MA where she developed a lifelong friendship with her in-laws (especially “Ocean Gram”). During Chuck’s subsequent career, they lived in Upstate New York, Georgia, and Illinois.

Mary Lou and Chuck retired onto their sailboat, exploring the East coast and Caribbean for 4 years. Their next move was to Seabrook Island, SC, where they entertained their kids and grandkids, participated in the turtle patrol, played golf, and enjoyed the ocean. Their final move was to River Landing at Sandy Ridge, Colfax, NC where Mary Lou made great friends, sang in the church choir, played the xylopipes in the River Landing band, and continued her love of flower gardening.

Her greatest joys in life were her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchild, and friendships in the communities where she lived. She had a passion for traveling; she and Chuck explored the US and many other countries. She was very creative. She enjoyed sewing (making her and Gail’s clothes, as well as teaching sewing), making greeting cards with dried flowers, weaving on a large loom, creating beveled glass tables and hangings, and making polymer clay jewelry. She especially loved the design aspect of her hobbies. Mary Lou also gave back to her communities doing various volunteer activities.

Mary Lou was predeceased by her husband Charles Murphy, and her brothers, Donald and David Fielder. She is survived by her son, James Murphy (Deborah Schneider) of Worthington, OH, Gail Sheffield (Mark) of High Point, NC, her grandchildren, Eliza (James), Alex, Richard, Will, and her great grandchild, Thomas. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Grace Reinelt of Quincy, MA and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at River Landing for the wonderful love and care that Mary Lou received in her last few years.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to River Landing at Sandy Ridge, 1575 John Knox Drive, Colfax, NC, 27235 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.