Mary Dorothy Murphy was born on November 5, 1917, the youngest of seven children born to Maurice Murphy and Maeme (Sullivan) Murphy. She passed to the next stage of life while sleeping at home in the very late hours of Sunday, February 24, 2013. She was 95 years of age and lived a very full and happy life. Her father was born and raised on the Beara Peninsula of County Cork, Ireland. He was a copper miner who left Ireland eventually finding his way to Calumet, MI where he met Maeme. Maurice died from 'miner's lung' when Dorothy was 9 years old. Maeme was killed in a car accident when Dorothy was 21 years old. She moved to Milwaukee after her Mother's death, living with her sister and brother-in-law and their children. Eventually she lived at St. Katherine's, a residence in Milwaukee for young, single women where she met life-long friends, then moved on to apartment life with a great group of gal friends. Dorothy met Dan McManus on Mother's Day of 1949, introduced repeatedly and without much early success by their dear friends Betty and Mike Roche. Over time, however, Dan and Dorothy dated and then married on June 2, 1951. Their daughter Mary was born in 1954. The family made their home in Milwaukee for many years. Dorothy's career after graduation from Suomi (now Finlandia University) led her to employment at a bank in Calumet, MI, then to Marquette University, Allis-Chalmers, St. Pius X school kitchen, Gimbels department store, and finally to a 14 year career working with licenses and elections in the City Clerks' office of Wauwatosa, WI. As Dan's health declined, Dorothy retired early in 1981 so that she and Dan could move to Eau Claire (Dan's hometown) for a quieter life surrounded by extended family. Dan passed away in October, 1982, and Dorothy decided to stay in Eau Claire. Dorothy and Dan were both involved in their faith community at St. Pius X in Wauwatosa as volunteers for many activities. They had a great many dear friends and neighbors in Milwaukee, and they loved to dance with the Dancero's dance club. Dorothy continued her volunteer efforts through St. James in Eau Claire, helping at the school library and in envelope counting in the rectory. Dorothy was an active volunteer at Sacred Heart Hospital for many years, helping primarily in the family lounge of the critical care unit. She was always willing to lend a hand, her heart, or a good listening ear to others. In her day, Dorothy also bowled, golfed, played tennis and bridge and cribbage. After moving to Eau Claire, she joined the St. Bridget's group at St. James the Greater Catholic Church. The Bridgets met monthly for prayer, a meal, and hours of bridge and laughter. The Bridgets are Dorothy's honorary pall bearers. Daughter Mary began work at UW-Stout in 1990, and ended up living permanently with Dorothy as roommate and best friend. Dorothy travelled to see Mary in Arizona and Massachusetts, and in 2004 they travelled to Ireland for a stay with the Sullivan cousins and time to explore the Beara Peninsula where Dorothy's father was born and raised. Dorothy is survived by her loving daughter and primary caregiver, Mary. Other survivors include her sister-in-law, Betty Laizure, nieces Mary Elizabeth (Bob) Bainbridge, Carol McManus, Kathleen (David) Waits, and Mary (Tom) Maloney; nephews Terry (Patricia Sherman) Murphy, Malachy (Jane Boubel) Murphy, Sandy Scott, David Murphy, Bob MacDonald, Tom Robertson, Victor Robertson, Michael (Sue) McManus, Patrick (Connie ) Bleske, John (Shirley) Snyder, and Stanley (Veronica) BeBeau. Her first cousins and their families were also very important to Dorothy (Dorie Carey, Bill /Meriam Sullivan, Ellen Sullivan, Tom Sullivan, Micki Sullivan, their spouses and families). She is predeceased by her loving and loved husband Dan, her parents, parents-in-law, sisters, brothers and their spouses, her sisters- and brothers-in-law and their spouses, beloved nieces Joan MacDonald Scott, Janice Robertson, Joyce Robertson, Eileen Robertson, beloved nephews Bill McManus and David Eberl, and Daniel Robertson, along with nieces and nephews of the next generations. Dorothy is also survived by the dearest of neighbors and friends, most especially Margaret Stolp, Magda and Robert Picco, the Bridgets of St. James, and pall bearers Judi and Tom Anibas, Mona and Bob Mathews, Linda and Greg Zeits, and Carol Strunc (and all of their families). Dorothy left her impression on all of us as a kind, wonderful, interested and interesting lady. To know her was to love her (and to have a toddy or a few with her). Many thanks and appreciation to Dr. Mike Gonzaga and Dr. Vince Kazelka for their excellent care, to Dr. Cortney Decker, DDS (Dorothy's favorite dentist and staff), to the staff at St. Joseph's Hospice who gave remarkable and loving care to Dorothy and to Mary. Although she was not in hospice care at the time of her death, she was so appreciative of the assistance provided. Special appreciation to Father John Schultz and Pastoral Minister Jacky Miller for their prayers, guidance and visits. The student nurses who worked with Dorothy will forever be considered granddaughters, much loved (Stephanie Tilot, Brianna Risen, Jackie Ventry, Sarah Skinner, and Brittany Gonzales). Bob Mathews was Dorothy's first caregiver friend, and after the student nurses took over, Bob visited and checked in weekly (with Mona, Judi and Tom). Magda Picco spent nearly every Saturday late afternoon with Dorothy so Mary could go to Mass. Margaret Stolp made Dorothy's special flag (which she used when tired of our conversation!), and rarely missed "Wheel of Fortune" with Dorothy... Carol Strunc came over the day Dorothy was first released from Hospice, and we got her into a wheelchair and out on the deck for a good visit (and toddy).... The Paliative Care staff and Sacred Heart Hospital sent Dorothy home on March 9, 2011 with a gorgeous handmade quilt from their volunteers. She wore the quilt for the two years she was homebound, and it has been placed over her casket for the viewing today. The Boy Scouts from the West side of Eau Claire helped significantly with yard work, as did dear neighbors (the Picco family), other family members and friends. There are so many kind and endearing moments - too many to list here - the calls, cards, letters, visits all meant the world to Dorothy and to Mary. Love to all. In Dorothy's eyes, every woman was beautiful, every man was handsome, and all were dearly loved. May she rest in peace, a loving and well-loved woman of great faith and good humor. A public viewing will be on Thursday, February 28, from Noon to 3 pm at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 2502 11th Street, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703. A 3 pm Mass of Christian Burial will be led by Father John Schultz, followed by burial at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Eau Claire, and a light supper back at the church hall.

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