Edward William Murphy

Ed, of Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, passed away peacefully New Year’s Eve at the age of 79, surrounded by family. An Arizona native, Ed graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in 1953, and went on to play football for and graduate from the University of Notre Dame in 1957. Ed was a 3

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generation Funeral Director joining his father W. L. “Bill” Murphy in the firm in 1957. He attended and graduated from the Los Angeles School of Mortuary Science in 1960 and spent the past 57 years serving families and the community with dignity and compassion. Ed’s grandmother, Mary Frances Murphy, was the first licensed woman embalmer in the State of Arizona. Ed’s accomplishments were many. He was a past Vice-President of Kiva-Kaibab Little League, former Chairman of C.Y.O. (Catholic Youth Organization) Diocese of Phoenix, past President of University of Notre Dame Club of Phoenix, past President of Maricopa County Mounted Sheriff’s Posse, former Chairman of Better Business Bureau Board of Directors Maricopa County, former Chairman of the Transportation Committee for the Papal Visit of Pope John Paul II to Phoenix, member of 4

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Degree Knights of Columbus Marcos De Niza Council, member and former President of the Phoenix Serra Club, member of Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, former member of Catholic Cemetery Board Diocese of Phoenix and member and former President of Arizona Funeral Directors Association, whose father W. L. “Bill” Murphy was a founding member and also served as a past president. Ed is preceded in death by his first wife Sheila in 1978 and by his second wife Dorena “Dee” in 2012. He is survived by his 7 children, Brian (Meg), Danny (Lori), Martha (John Kelliher), Maureen (Bill Kieffer), Michele (Robin Bush), Shawn and Devin (Teri), 2 stepchildren Kathy Penzenstadler (Manfred) and Mike Ryan, 23 grandchildren, MaKaela, Phillip, Kelly, Madison, Sheila, Tom; Ryan, Hank; Gracie, Katie; Joe, Mike, Jacquie, Shaylin, Mackenzie; Amanda and Allison and their mother Melanie; Joseph; Elizabeth, Eric, Christina, Kelsey and Katilyn and 6 great-grandchildren Ryann, Trinity, Caiden, Ashlynn, Kayley and Emma. You may pay your respects during the Visitation from 1:00PM- 8:00PM on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road, Phoenix. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 10AM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, followed by interment at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. Ed Murphy was an incredible man with a warm smile who touched so many throughout his life. He will be remembered and greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.