We have just received news of the death of Doris Murphy, a Bridgefolk friend who contributed enthusiastically to some of our early conferences. Her obituary follows.
Doris Helen Murphy, age 74, of Ellsworth, Wis., passed away at home on Aug. 11 after a short illness.
She was cared for in her final weeks by her family.
Doris was born on Feb. 7, 1937, in Big River, to the late Edward Bernard Murphy and Edna Anna (Schommer) Murphy.
She was a member of the Benedictine Religious Community until 1987. She earned a degree in education from Viterbo College, a master’s degree in music history with a concentration in liturgical music from The Catholic University of America, and a master’s degree in theology from St. John’s University School of Theology.
Doris shared her gifts and talents in many ways during her lifetime: as a grade school and high school teacher in the area and also in Idaho and Kansas, as a parish religious education director, a consultant for a diocesan religious education office, co-director of a diocesan liturgy office, diocesan coordinator for catechesis for families, deanery consultant and parish associate working with the Hmong community, director of the Institute for Religious Studies at Benedictine College in Kansas, pastoral associate, director for the Vitality Project for the Diocese of Boise, parish Christian formation director, catechetical consultant and catechetical/pastoral/liturgical writer, and as the associate dean of graduate students and undergraduate faculty at St. John’s University.
She received the 2007 Ezekiel: Prophet of Hope award from St. John’s School of Theology-Seminary Alumni Association for her lifetime of dedicated service to the church.
She traveled throughout the United States and England providing workshops on worship and religious education. Recently, she found great fulfillment in her volunteer work as a mentor for “at risk” students at Ellsworth High School, and involvement in Ellsworth Village beautification projects.
Doris is survived by brothers and sisters, Marilyn (Arlin) Albrecht, Donald J. (Kerry Licht) Murphy, Carol (Jerome) Meissner, Anne (Matt) Drees, Daniel E. (Susan) Murphy, and David T. (Barbara) Murphy. In addition, she will be greatly missed by her 18 nieces and nephews, 29 great-nieces and -nephews, and many friends.
Doris blessed the many communities she touched during her lifetime as a witness of faith. From her hometown roots in the Ellsworth area, to her beloved Boise, to the academic life she relished at St. John’s University, to the many churches she supported, including St. Bridget (River Falls) and St. Francis Catholic Parish (Ellsworth), she freely offered her time and heartfelt commitment.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Bridget Parish, River Falls, at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15. Reception to follow. Her ashes will be interred at Risen Christ Catholic Community Columbarium, Boise, at a later date.
She suggested memorials to Ellsworth High School Foundation and the Village of Ellsworth, donations going to the future park on the corner of Main and Chestnut.
Hill Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Ellsworth is assisting the family. Please visit www.hillfuneralservice.com to leave an online condolence.