Marilyn Murphy

Dr. Marilyn Murphy has left her position here on earth and has gone to her new assignment, organizing the teachers, writers, and photographers in Heaven. Marilyn passed from this realm at 9:03 a.m., Sunday January 2, 2022.

Marilyn was born in Clovis, New Mexico on October 26, 1934, to Charles and Mary Lena Murphy. Marilyn leaves behind sister Kay Lamb, nephew Sam Lamb, his wife Martha, and Great niece Leticia, brother C. Richard Murphy, his wife Barbara, four nieces, Sharla (Brian), Free, Sharee (Marty) Hughes, Shayla (Darrell), Chappell, and Shelby Murphy Venter. Seven Great nieces, Lacy (Stephen) Minshew, Mallory Chappell, Bailey (Jake) Davis, Katie Hughes, Megan Price, Carley, and Morgan Venter, four Great nephews, Hayden (Chandler) Free, Harrison Chappell, Murphy Chappell and Zach (Madison) Price and one Great Great niece Kensfi Price.

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Drama from Oklahoma College for Women in 1956 Marilyn joined the Genesee Girl Scout Council in Flint Michigan. The Girl Scouts awarded her a graduate scholarship to complete a master’s degree in Social Work at Columbia University in New York and University of Denver in 1960. Marilyn moved to Albuquerque to work with the Chaparral Council of Girl Scouts. She then obtained a New Mexico Teacher's Certificate and began her teaching career with Albuquerque Public Schools. In 1970 she was awarded a sabbatical from APS in order to complete work for her doctorate in Curriculum and instruction.

Dr. Murphy's interests were wide and varied. After she retired from teaching, she became a professional photographer and artist. Her love of travel and photography led her to a year's journey around the edge of the United States, photographing and visiting with people who lived on the edge. While doing this trip she wrote a series of articles for the Albuquerque Journal about the people she met and the places she went.

Dr. Murphy touched many people throughout her life. She will be sorely missed by her family, colleagues, and friends. A celebration of her life will be held in Albuquerque in the late spring of 2022.