Obituary of Barbara A. Murphy

Barbara A. Murphy, of Clifton Park passed away on January 2, 2017 at home, surrounded by her loving family. Born in 1937, she was the daughter of the late Henry Peter and Esther (Edna Padula) Zimbelmann. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Edward Murphy, and grandson, Nathan Iorio. Barbara met her husband of 57 years through her brother, Peter. Barbara was asked to ‘keep company’ with Ed while Peter ‘got ready’ to car-pool: they remained in each other’s company for the rest of their lives. After welcoming their #1 daughter Kathleen, favorite daughter Noreen in NYC, then #1 and favorite son Christopher in NJ, they moved upstate to the emerging suburb of Clifton Park. Barbara spent her early days raising her children and volunteering countless hours for causes close to her heart. She loved playing tennis and bridge, and of course…feeding her family, their friends, the neighbors and even strangers were very important to her. In fact, you could never get away from the Murphy home hungry! Her heart of giving was shared by her late husband, and many benefitted from their generous spirits. Barbara eventually sought her Master’s Degree in Economics and in the 1970’s and 1980’s she worked for the Atmospheric Science Research Center, deSeve Economics Associates and NYS Division of Equalization and Assessment. She was an active member of the League of Woman Voters and a flag-bearer for many causes: global peace, human rights, fair trade, election reform and holistic health among them. She had passionate friends in each group, as well as many family who have been the recipient of mom’s love, time, and talents. We believe she is now at peace with God in heaven, and perhaps even, ‘speaking her peace’. Our mom, aka “Grandma Barbara”, will be greatly missed. She is survived by daughters Kathleen (Michael) Howey, and Noreen (Timothy) Mante, and her son, Christopher (Nancy Gormley). She is also survived by grandchildren Allison (Andrew), Julie (Joshua), April, Grace, Joanne, Brendan, Caroline, and great-granddaughter, Ava, and many loving family and friends. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 5th from 5 to 8 pm at the Catricala Funeral Home, 1597 Route 9, Clifton Park, with a funeral Mass on Friday, January 6th at 11:30 am at St. Edward the Confessor Church in Clifton Park. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations may be made in her memory to one of the following: Eddy Visiting Nurse Association, c/o Northeast Health Foundation, Center for Philanthropy, 310 S Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208 or Human Rights Watch, PO Box 4803 Toms River, NJ 08754. In the end, she would love nothing more than if you did your best to treat everyone with dignity and respect.