Marjorie G. Murphy

Marjorie G. Murphy, 98, of Conneaut Lake, passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at Marquette Hospice House of the Hospice of Crawford County.

Marjorie was born November 17, 1915 at home in Chicago, Illinois to Frank R. and Gertrude (Meyer) Greenwald.   Marjorie grew up in a musical and artistic house, as her father painted with watercolors and her mother taught piano and voice.  Marjorie attended Mundelein College in Illinois for two years where her main interest was in art and painting.  For 10 years she was employed as a commercial artist in advertising as well as interior and window display design at Mandel Brothers Department Store in downtown Chicago, IL.  Several of her lifelong friendships were made while she was there.  While single and working, Marjorie and her friends took trips to places such as a western dude ranch, train excursions to New York City, and a Mississippi River paddle boat voyage.

Marjorie was a volunteer assistant at a USO facility in Chicago in 1942 where she met Rex M. Murphy of Irondale, Ohio, a Sargent in the U. S. Army Air Force.  After Rex returned from serving in World War II, they married on August 24, 1946 in Chicago.  After marriage, the family lived in Mt. Vernon, Cleveland, and Perrysburg, Ohio.  Her two sons, Stephen and Benjamin were born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio in 1948 and 1951, respectively.  While living in Perrysburg, she started her educational career as a teacher’s assistant in a private pre- school, responsible for the art and music part of the program.

In 1966, the family relocated to Linesville, PA.  In 1972 they moved to Conneaut Lake, PA.  Marjorie became a teacher at the Conneaut Valley Head Start Center in February 1967, and became the director/teacher in 1969.  When the four Head Start programs in Crawford County were combined under the Crawford County Community Action Association in 1970, she was chosen as the director, a position she held until her retirement in 1983.  Under the Head Start Supplementary Training program, implemented with her assistance, the Head Start teachers were given an opportunity to attain a full teaching degree at Edinboro State College (now Edinboro University).  Marjorie successfully completed her course work, and was granted a degree in Elementary Education with a major in Early Childhood Education in 1974.

Marjorie was an active member of Our Lady Queen of the Americas church in Conneaut Lake.  She served as a member of the Altar Rosary Society, The Samaritans, the Care and Concern Committee, and as a Eucharistic Minister.  She also helped in the home visitor program, the religious education program and taught CCD.  Other organizational activities included former board member and volunteer at the Meadville YWCA, former charter board member and treasurer of the Linesville Pal Fund, volunteer at Meadville Medical Center, and member of the Meadville Medical Center Auxiliary.  Marjorie was the recipient of the YWCA Tribute to Women Award, and taught in the Crawford County Read Program.

Marjorie enjoyed many things in life but her favorites were her religion, family, and friends.  She was devoted to her church, and found great comfort and peace in her spiritual life.  She loved and deeply cared for all immediate and extended members of her family, as well as her friends.  She was known as “Marge” or “Margie” to everyone.   She enjoyed activities such as golf, travel, and playing bridge with her husband Rex and their many friends.   She was an outdoors person who loved to work in her garden, planting flowers and watching the birds in the bird feeder outside the kitchen window.

One of the dearest of her lifelong friends was her sister-in-law, Louise Greenwald, who shared Marge’s

home after both had been widowed.

Marjorie had a lifetime love of art, music, and photography.  She was an accomplished pianist and served as an accompanist for many music students in their solo performances.  While living in Perrysburg, Ohio, she was the pianist for a community singing theater group that staged musical productions and recitals.  Marjorie was also an accomplished artist who created in several mediums, but her favorite was water color painting.  In the 1960’s, she took further art training classes at the Toledo Museum of Art under Israel Abramofsky, a professional artist.  From time to time her paintings have been exhibited at local art shows.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Rex M. Murphy, brother, Benjamin F. Greenwald and her sister- in-law, Louise (Dooley) Greenwald.

Survivors include sons Stephen R. Murphy and wife Linda Kandrac of Mayfield Heights Ohio, and Benjamin R. Murphy and wife Shari of Gahanna, Ohio.  Grandchildren are Elizabeth and Michael Murphy.  Step grandchildren are Stephanie, Chris and Amanda Miggo.

Calling hours will be Friday from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Waid-Coleman Funeral Home, 12422 Conneaut Lake Rd., Conneaut Lake with a Scripture Prayer service at 4:45 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of the Americas Church, 155 S. Ninth St., Conneaut Lake with Fr. Jeffrey Lucas as Celebrant.

Interment will be in Our Lady Queen of the Americas Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to The Samaritans, P.O. Box 110, Conneaut Lake, PA 16316 or to Hospice of Crawford County, 464 Pine St., Meadville, PA 16335.

Memories and condolences may be shared at waidcolemanfh.com.