Annie Mary Murphy née Brennan passed away Oct. 21, 2023, at her residence at Allegria Assisted Living in Ocean Grove. She turned 88 this past August.
She was born Aug. 16, 1935, in Alcare, County Sligo, Ireland, to Jack Brennan and Annie Carty Brennan. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Martin (James), Patrick, John and Tom and three sisters, Theresa, Kathleen and Mary, as well as her husband James Murphy. She is survived by her brother Peter Brennan in Chicago and her daughter Tara in Ocean Township, as well as many loving nieces and nephews in the United States and in Ireland.
She emigrated from Ireland to New York City in 1954 where she met her late husband James Murphy; they married in 1959. She worked for The Church Pension Fund for almost 20 years but became a stay-at-home mom when they had their only child Tara in 1972. In 1976, the family moved to Belford where she lived for 40 years amongst wonderful friends and neighbors. She was a member of St. Mary’s Church and the Holy Rosary Society. She became a nanny once her own daughter was grown and spent many wonderful years providing care and compassion to the children she looked after. She retired and in 2016 she moved in with her daughter in Ocean. eventually moving to Ocean Grove in 2022. There she had many wonderful nurses and aides who cared and supported her.
She enjoyed being near the ocean and spending time with her best friend Maggie Stultz-O’Brien. She had a contagious laugh, strong hands and a big heart. She will be remembered and missed.
Visitation was Oct. 27 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral Mass was offered Oct. 28 at St. James Church in Red Bank. Cremation is private.
This article originally appeared in the November 2 – 8, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
