Mary Anna Murphy

Mary Anna Murphy passed away at her home in Rio Rancho, New Mexico on August 28th, 2018 with her only child Maura Murphy at her side.  She was 81 years old.

Mary Anna was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1937 and used to spend her summers with her Grandma Gussie Greer on her farm in Augusta, Kansas.  In 1955, she graduated from South High School in Denver, Colorado.  She had seven marriage proposals and married Terrence Robert Murphy in 1963. Maura was born one year and six days later. The family moved to San Diego, California in 1969.  She returned to the Land of Enchantment 15 years ago.

Mary Anna was an avid reader. She loved to read about Pearl Buck’s adventures as a missionary in China and was able to spend 12 days traveling throughout China after she retired.  She kissed dolphins in Roatan, snorkeled in the Bahamas, had high tea in London, searched for Leprechauns in Ireland, stood atop Edinburgh Castle and toured Lake Wyndemere on a mystical foggy day and imagined Beatrix Potter writing Peter Rabbit on that very spot.  In all, she vacationed in nine different countries.  In the United States, she spent time in New Orleans and took the American Orient Express through the South and ended in Washington D.C. She spent time in the Pacific Northwest and saw the changing of the leaves in the Northeast.

Mary Anna was a great cook.  She made crepes, cooked in a wok, made cordon bleu, Shepard’s pie and prepared the best red chili and cheese flat enchiladas.  She was also very artistic and could throw pottery, paint, sew, knit, macramé and lay bricks.  She had a dry wit and always saw the best in people.  Above all else, she was a loving, cherished mother and she will be missed by all those who loved her.

If you ever want to say hello, just look up at the Sandias that is where she will be.   Good bye Mama, I love you.

The Family of Mary Anna Murphy has entrusted the care of their beloved one to Avista Cremation & Burial.