Maureen C Murphy

Maureen C. Murphy was born in Butte to John and Rena Giacoma on July 8, 1940. She entered into heaven's gates Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014.

How fitting her last full day on earth was Valentine's Day, as she was the epitome of "love" to her all of her family, friends and patients. May the Italian St. Valentine, patron of Love, walk with Maureen as she rises to touch the face of God.

After a valiant battle with a terminal diagnosis, her last days were not long. However, it took just a little over five weeks for her to pass through all her beautiful life memories as there are so many with so many people. She now offers those loving memories to comfort those of us she leaves behind.

Maureen was a graduate of Helena's Carroll College in nursing and graduated with a group of nurses who became lifelong friends and a source of countless stories, adventures and support. Maureen worked as a nurse in several places, including St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. However, the majority of her career was at the Curry Health Center at the University of Montana. She cared for UM students for 30 years, retiring in 2005. While working there she also received her nurse practitioner's license in 1986. She cared for her students as if they were her own children, providing them with the attention, nurturing and love they needed for complete healing. Many students she took care of over the years recognized her around Missoula and would pay tribute to her healing spirit and unique gift of compassion.

Maureen had an unwavering faith in God, which was known by all who knew her. She could always be found in church, even as a little girl in Walkerville, and her days were filled with prayers and knowing the Lord. She was a spiritual director to her family and friends, but also to many others through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. She dedicated 19 years of daily prayer, meditation, contemplative practices and direction to others through the Spiritual Exercises. She was a parish member of St. Francis Xavier for more than 40 years. You could always catch her at daily Mass.

Maureen is survived by her best friend and loving husband of 51 years, Timothy J. Murphy. She is survived by her children: Michael S. Murphy and his wife Patty Murphy; Michelle M. Murphy; Sean R. Murphy and his wife Terri Murphy; and Kathleen R. Murphy. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren: Brianna Cunningham, Tyler Smith, Michael Murphy, Daniel Murphy, Cody Holmes, Timothy Murphy, Katey Murphy, Brendan Murphy and Jordan Holmes. She also leaves behind her brother, Jack Giacoma and his wife, Loa Giacoma.

Of all her accomplishments, her greatest achievement was all the love and life she dedicated and provided to her family. Her generous and compassionate heart filled her home with love, fun, laughter, family and friends. She embodied the attitude that there was always room for more. She loved family traditions and recipes, trips and meals together, which were never skipped in her home. She leaves her husband, children and grandchildren with the knowledge that they were truly loved by her.

Her gifts of faith, generosity, friendship, love, joy, laughter, cooking, jokes, stories and the funny way she did things in her own unique way will never be forgotten. She leaves each of us with very special memories that are just our own, that we will carry in our hearts forever. She will be sadly missed, but those of us whose lives she touched know she will be watching over us from heaven.

A funeral Mass to celebrate Maureen's life will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at St. Francis Xavier Church preceded by a rosary on Wednesday, Feb 19, at 6:30 pm at Garden City Memorial Funeral Home.
Read Maureen Murphy's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.