In Memory of Sister Ellen Murphy

February 28, 1921 – June 29, 2010

Sister Mary Ellen Murphy, PBVM, 89, daughter of John and Rose (Reilly) Murphy, was born on February 28, 1921, in Ada, Minnesota. She entered the Sisters of the Presentation in September of 1940 and professed her perpetual vows on June 10, 1946.

She received her bachelors degree in Education from Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa. Her teaching career, spanning 54 years, took her to St. Columbkille in Dubuque, Fairbank, Algona, Elkader, Mason City, Humboldt, and Epworth, all in Iowa; Winner, South Dakota; Oak Lawn, Illinois; and St. Paul, Minnesota.

With her entire religious life centered on the field of education, she taught kindergarten through third grade preparing her students for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Sister retired to Mount Loretto in 1997 and demonstrated her love of children as a volunteer at the Young-Uns Child Care Center, volunteered as a tutor for the Presentation Lantern Center and every week for the last

12 years she did a variety of office tasks at The Witness office of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. She enjoyed her senior ministry of prayer and community service where she added a touch of Irish wit. Sister Ellen daily lived her statement, “It is most gratifying for me to get up every morning and God willing, I can be of service to others.”

Surviving are her sisters-in-law, Gwen (Francis) and Marcile (Vincent) Murphy, many nieces, nephews, and the Sisters of the Presentation with whom she shared her life for 70 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Walter, Rev. Joseph, Edward, James, Vincent, and Francis Murphy, and her sisters, Mary Merfeld, and Mauriece Dougherty.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of the Presentation, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque, IA 52001 or online at www.dubuquepresentations.org.