Obituary of Maureen Celine Murphy

August 25, 1931 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

November 25, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Maureen Murphy (nee Martin), beloved wife of Brendan Murphy, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, November 25, 2024, at the age of 93 years.

Maureen was born August 25, 1931, in Pittsburgh, PA, the second child of Irish parents Marian (McConigley) and Daniel Martin. The family returned to County Donegal, Ireland, the following year, where they welcomed several more children prior to migrating to a farm in County Meath, where they resided until relocating to Dublin around 1948.

She was educated at the Loreto Convent in Navan, Ireland, where she excelled in Irish, arithmetic, athletics, and music. After graduation, Maureen had intended to study nursing, but while waiting for classes to begin, she signed on as an apprentice to Nora Paisley, a Dublin ladies-wear boutique. Maureen had always had an amazing flair for fashion, and she soon fell in love with her new vocation.

Maureen also fell in love with Brendan Murphy. They married in May of 1953 and had two daughters, Geraldine and Loraine, prior to emigrating to Canada. Settling in Calgary, AB, they welcomed their son David in 1961.

Maureen was an extremely generous person. Prior to returning to the fashion world when her children got older, she volunteered at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, where she created altar flower arrangements each week. Her service to the church continued in various capacities for as long as she had a driver’s license. For many years, Maureen was a member of the Pegasus Club in Spruce Meadows. She was active at the Glencoe Club, notably in bowling, where she and Brendan were twice Club Champions. Maureen loved golfing at Canyon Meadows Golf Club. We know she had at least one hole-in-one, but she was modest about discussing it.

Maureen’s fashion sense and people skills made her quite popular in ladies’ fashion retail, which she enjoyed for decades. She was very involved in the lives of her grandchildren, who loved her dearly. She gave tirelessly of herself and will be missed so much by all of us.

Maureen was predeceased by her brothers, Eddie and Patrick Martin; and her sister Una Kanik. Left to remember her are her sisters, Brid Regan, Kathy Cote, and Kim Clancy; children, Gerri, Loraine (Tom) Charlton, David (Shannon) Murphy; grandchildren, Jennifer Chmilar, Matt (Erin Mason) Chmilar, Jessica (Dave) Young, Garrett (Lindsay Lockwood) Charlton, Conor (Gabrielle Davies) Charlton; great-grandchildren, Henry and Isadora Young; and her dear friend Lou Servantes.

Funeral Mass has been celebrated and cremation has taken place.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Maureen’s family here.

In living memory of Maureen Murphy, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

Click Here to view the Memorial Card for Maureen Murphy