Obituary of Florence Murphy

Florence B. Murphy, 93, a former resident of Paul Street, Auburn, died on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016 at the Commons on St. Anthony Street. An Auburn native, and lifelong resident of Auburn, she was the daughter of George and Phyllis Warnes Brown. She had retired from Auburn Memorial Hospital in 1985 as the Chief Medical Records Libertarian, with 37 years of service; was an active member of St. Peter’s Church and SS. Peter and John Church for 90 years. After her retirement she spent much of her time volunteering (The Hospital, Church, and Merry Go Round Playhouse), helping others, enjoying her grandchildren, shopping at the dollar stores, and traveling near with car rides and to far off places like Alaska, New Zealand, and England. She was a kind woman, respectful to others as well as herself, and always willing to help. She enjoyed the simple things. She always loved being with her family, her friends, chocolate, and properly dressing with her many hats, traveling anywhere, music and musicals, singing, dancing, a good book, her British shows on PBS, crafting for the church bazaar, and the church pork chop dinner. Favorite adventures were taking the kids to the creek for some “frog catching,” a country drive, a good thunderstorm, picking elderberries, chocolate, song birds, sunsets and waterfalls. She could find the beauty in most anything; she collected snowmen, and cast animals, mostly dogs. She loved her chocolate! Holidays were always special, serving Yorkshire pudding and elderberry pie. She never forgot a birthday, and spoke the “Queen's English.” She was quick to give a hug, and correct your grammar when needed. Smiling was her nature, Florence was proud of who she was but not prideful, doing the best with what she had. These are just some of the loves she had and passed on to her sons and grandchildren. Oh did we mention she loved chocolate? Her husband, Edward Murphy predeceased her in 1984. Surviving are their children, Michael (Liz Guerin), of Plattsburgh, N.Y., Ned (Donna) Murphy, of Auburn, Steve Murphy, of Ithaca, N.Y., and Peter (Vicki) Murphy, of Auburn; grandchildren, Brett (Heather) Murphy, Travis Williams, Dustin Murphy, Madison Murphy, and Kaden Murphy; sisters, Mary Herrigan, of Jupiter, Fla., and Phyllis Buchanan, of Auburn; brother, John (Rita) Brown, of Auburn; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was also predeceased by her five siblings. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016 at Farrell’s Funeral Service, Inc., 84 South St., Auburn. Calling hours will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. prior to services. A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Knights of Columbus, Market Street, Auburn. The omission of flowers is suggested with memorials going to the Merry Go Round Play House Children’s Theater.