Ellen Murphy née McNicholas, age 95, passed away peacefully at home in Middletown Feb. 23, 2024, surrounded by family. She was born in 1928 in a small village outside of Castlebar, Mayo, Ireland.
Ellen was preceded in death by her beloved husband Edward, her parents, Michael and Mariah McNicholas, and her siblings, Margaret Keeney, Noreen Lopez, Martin McNicholas, Patrick McNicholas and Thomas (Josie) McNicholas.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Marie (Edward T. Gleason) of Pennsylvania and Maureen (Bert Canal Jr.) of Middletown. She was the loving grandmother of Ryan Gleason (Katelyn Brinegar), Kevin Gleason, Alyson Canal-Burzi (Michael Burzi), and Gregory Canal (Zeena Ammar). She also adored her three great-grandchildren, Graham, Elliott and Piper Ellen Gleason (her namesake). She is also survived by her sister, Kathleen (Edward Doherty) and was the beloved “Auntie Eileen” to her nieces and nephew, Elaine Lopez, Patricia Lopez Loparnos, Edward Lopez, Mary Agnes Doherty Feit and Margaret Doherty Iacovano.
After growing up on a working farm in Ireland, Ellen emigrated to Brooklyn in 1950 to seek a better life. She worked as a nanny before marrying the love of her life Eddie Murphy – who also emigrated from Ireland – in 1954. She loved his sense of humor and his waltzing skills. Due to their limited learning opportunities in Ireland, they both recognized the value of education as a way to attain the “American Dream.” As such, they instilled a strong work ethic and love of learning in their daughters, allowing them to achieve advanced degrees and successful professional careers of which they were very proud.
Ellen proudly became a naturalized American citizen in 1966 and worked for more than 35 years as a cafeteria worker at Clara Barton High School, where she loved interacting with students and positively impacting their lives.
Ellen was an eternal optimist and her positive outlook endeared her to everyone she met. She was a source of strength, guidance and wisdom for many of her loved ones. Her favorite sayings were “You’ll be fine,” “It will work out,” “Stay cool, calm and collected” and, most notably, “Just do your best; that’s the best you can do.”
Ellen was very spiritual and had great faith, especially in the Blessed Mother Mary. In her earlier years, Ellen was an avid Bingo player and, in the last few years of her life, discovered the inner artist within her. She graced many friends and family members with unique hand-colored drawings and relished the praise garnered from her artistic creations.
Ellen’s legacy is her ability to always seek the good in people, her unconditional love and support and her positivity. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Visitation was March 1 and 2 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral Mass was offered at St. Agnes Church, Atlantic Highlands. Interment followed at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, Pennsylvania.
In lieu of flowers, donations to one of Ellen’s favorite charities, Operation Smile (operationsmile.org) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org), would be appreciated.
This article originally appeared in the March 14 – 20, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
