Muriel Murphy of Shrewsbury passed away peacefully May 17, 2024. She was born Dec. 5, 1932, in Jersey City. Muriel was a lifelong resident of Red Bank prior to moving to Shrewsbury.
She was raised in Jersey City where she attended Lincoln High School and met the love of her life, Art Murphy. They lived in Jersey City and Middletown before settling in Red Bank.
Muriel was well known for her commitment to volunteering with many different organizations with a special devotion to the ARC of Monmouth County. She was a communicant and eucharistic minister of St. James parish.
An exceptional wife and mother, Muriel’s greatest pride was her family, where a common phrase of hers was, “I am blessed.” Her long kitchen table was a gathering place for friends and family. She enjoyed entertaining and often threw the best parties where there was much drink, merriment, song and laughter. Her favorite pastimes included playing the piano, golfing, sewing, gardening, bridge and needlepoint. When her kids were younger, summer days were always spent at Sea Bright Bathing Pavilion where the “Murphy circle” was legendary.
Muriel was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Arthur V. Murphy, and daughter Kathleen. Muriel is survived by her nine children, Michael Murphy of Shrewsbury, Arthur V. Murphy III of Red Bank, Thomas Murphy of Denver, Colorado, Timothy Murphy (Susan) of Shrewsbury, Sean Murphy (Nancy) of Red Bank, Mary P. Murphy of Red Bank, Diane Davis (Jack) of Red Bank, Rosemary Murphy of Mantoloking and Meghan Gasek (Jim) of Hudson, Massachusetts, and her 24 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held May 22 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 23 at St. James Church, Red Bank. Burial followed at Holy Name Cemetery in Jersey City.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to The Arc of Monmouth County, 1158 Wayside Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07712.
The article originally appeared in the May 23 – 29, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
