It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Irma Murphy, beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Yonkers, New York, Irma attended NYU where she obtained a Masters in English and a Masters in Philosophy in 1942. While teaching in Florida she met the love of her life an Army Air Force Lieutenant, Arthur Murphy. They were married in 1944, returned to New York and had three daughters before moving to Arizona in 1954. She completed her graduate studies at ASU in 1961 and became a College Professor at ASU, Glendale College and Scottsdale College, teaching English and Women’s Studies for over twenty years. Irma embraced life with a passion, learning to play the cello at age 70 and expanding her expertise in poetry and classical music. She loved spending time with her five grandchildren, playing contract bridge, sailing the Bahamas and the California coast, and hiking in Sedona with her husband. Irma was devoted to humanitarian causes since early adulthood and was a member of the Unitarian Church for over 50 years. Irma’s open heart and loving spirit will never be forgotten by her friends and family. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2014 from 1-3 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, 4027 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253. Donations can be made in Irma’s name to The Friends of the Phoenix Public Library, www.phxfriends.org.
Dyona frederick
I would like to express my condolence at this time to your family. The Bible is a great source of encouragement at times like this, a comforting thought is at Revelation 21:3,4 where it states “…And he will wipe out every year from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning not outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” This scripture gives us hope for the future! For more information please visit our website at jw.org
Bill Hailey
I wish to express my great sorrow in hearing about the passing of Mrs. Murphy. She was my English teacher at Glendale College in the late 1960’s and profoundly influenced my life. Considering all the college classes I attended it is only her classes that I vividly remember almost 50 years later. She was a unforgettable person a true character that made English class fun and taught us to use correct speech, when we just wanted to be hippies. God Bless you Irma Murphy, heaven has many crowns for you from all your loving students.
Regards
Bill Hailey