Barbara Ann Murphy

Barbara Ann Murphy, 85, passed away from pancreatic cancer on July 31, 2022 at Sun City Center hospice in Sun City Center, FL. She was born on Dec. 28, 1936 to Margaret L. Franz and Raymond J. Hallisy in Manitowoc, WS. Barbara attended school in, graduating from Lincoln H. S. in 1955.

Barbara became an R.N. after training at St. Mary’s Hospital school of Nursing in Milwaukee, WS. She worked as a nurse in several places finishing at Cutler Health Center at the University of Maine where she was once named Professional Employee of the year. She retired in 1998.

On June 10, 1961 she married Grattan Murphy at Holy Innocents Church in Manitowoc, WS.

She and her husband moved to Orono ME in 1965 until 2010 where she was a communicant at St. Maryʼs Church. She was active in church affairs, taught religion and served on many committees.

Barbara loved people, travel, and the outdoors. She spent a year in the Black Forest village of Otto Schwanden with her family, including three children aged 7 to 10 years. Another trip was to Calcutta where she spent three weeks working with Mother Theresa.

Though she and her husband moved to Florida in 2011, she still returned to Maine and served as a volunteer park ranger in Acadia National Park for three summers.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 61 years, Grattan Murphy. Also three children; Theresa Murphy of Derry NH, Tim Murphy (Valerie) of Orono, ME and Richard Murphy(Anita) of Chicago. And her grandchildren: Ruby Wallace Ewing, Veronica Wallace Ewing, Daphne Murphy, Calvin Murphy, Tori Murphy Claverie and Devon Claverie Murphy. She was predeceased by her fourth child, Patricia Murphy who died at the age of 3 months on Dec. 9, 1967. Another special friend, Wilner Luders, was like another son in the Murphy household. Barbara will be missed by her St Louis U nurse friends who have kept a round robin letter going for 60 years: Maureen Cimprich, Menlo Park CA, Carroll Ensminger, Sandpoint ID, Pat Hartnet (dec.) Phoenix, AZ, Carolyn Maloney, Petaluma CA and M. J. Nealon, Sacramento CA.

Friends wishing to donate in her memory may send contributions to Sun City Hospice. 3725 Upper Creek Dr., Ruskin FL 33573 or to Our Ladyʼs Food Pantry, ℅ Tom Bullaro, 10923 Australian Pine Dr. Riverview FL 33569.