You are in our thoughts  / Molly Bray (heard of her through my mom )
Dear Debbie and family-

You do not know me but I have heard much about you and Eileen through my mom, Joan Dennehy. I know this loss has come as a shock to you all and to my mom. I can feel her heart heavy when we speak on the phone. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. The web site is wonderful and a touching tribute to a special lady. Take care and God Bless.
Love,
Molly Bray
Knoxville, TN Close

Debbie / Bates Technical College BARC Committee (friends)

Debbie,  We are so sorry for your loss.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you.  Your friends at Bates (BARC)

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I'm so sorry Debbie  / Colleen Doherty (Debbie's BTC co-worker )
Debbie, what a terrible shock to read of your Eileen's untimely death.  I am so very, very saddened.  Know that my thoughts are with you.  The nursing department at BTC misses you every day.  Be strong. Very respectfully, Colleen Close

LOVE / Anna Chandler (5 year old friend from church )
Anna's words as transcribed by Anna's mom (both of whom are descended from magnificent Irish Murphy and Kelly women - no relation we know of to Eileen's family): I AM SORRY THAT EILEEN DIED. AGAIN I'M SO SORRY THAT EILEEN MURPHY DIED. EVEN THOUGH EILEEN IS SCATTERED ALL AROUND THE WORLD I KNOW YOU STILL MISS HER. LOVE IS EVERYWHERE. I LOVE YOU. THE END. ANNA C AND BRIDGETT Close

Childhood Memories  / Pat Laughlin(McNally) (Childhood friend )
Eileen and I were childhood friends. Starting in 4th grade we spent our elementary and high school years together. We spent summer vacations together and walked to school every day together.We spent hours playing monopoly(which she always won) and riding our bikes. We argued over which detergent was best,Tide or Oxydol, because our mother's used different brands. We were born on the same day, in the same hospital;only minutes apart.Eileen was a few minutes older and would tease me about this. I was blessed to have her in my life and the world is definitley a better place for having her in it. Close

An inspiration  / Gwen Robbins (former co-worker )
Eileen’s wisdom, wit, and thoughtfulness touched me on a daily basis. Her spirit lifted all of us up, encouraging us to work smarter, to laugh, and to remember what is important in life. As a fellow Montanan, we bonded early on, and she felt like family. She was a good friend to me and to my children, learning what they liked, and sending them home with books that met their interests. Sarah still loves her airplane book from “Aleen.” Eileen was a literary resource to me, turning me on to some of my current favorite authors. Eileen put a whole lot of love and goodness out there into the world, and I am a better person for knowing her. Eileen, my dear, you’ve more than earned your wings; your spirit guides me with the example you set and will shine on in my heart forever. I send all my love and sympathy to Debbie and your family. Close

Mentor and Friend  / Terra McCaffree (Staff/friend)
Eileen and I worked together for 15 years. She was an amazing person and Supervisor who lead with sound and confident resolve.  She was a great mentor and friend. Always willing to talk over and listen and then offer advice.  She had great confidence in her team and in me and I will always be grateful for her calm, her guidance and especially her humour.  Laughing through the tough times is what got us through so much at Senior Services I&A Program.  I&A was her passion for service and helping as best you can, even going beyond. I&A will remain Eileens legacy to Senior Services and the aging community. Close

Eileen -- a gracious and generous person  / Amy Carr (former coworker )
Working with Eileen at Senior Services was a pleasure. She always made herself available when I needed help writing a grant proposal, and helped me understand the programs that she gave so much to. Her desire to help others was boundless, and her wittiness was always appreciated. I feel blessed to have known her. Close

A Privilege and Blessing...  / Ralph Mintel (Neighbor)
It has been a privilege and blessing to live next door to Eileen and Debbie.
It feels like they are friends and extended family - and family that one would willingly choose.

We miss Eileen.

Ralph, Melissa, Bella (domestic short hair), and Clara, a.k.a. Toto (Cairn terrier) Close

Wonderful spirit  / Evelyn Boykan (funder of Senior services programs )
Dear Family, Friends, and co-workers of Eileen,

I, too, feel the loss of you.  How wonderful you were to work with - what a great representative of your agency.  Your lovely smile, your ease at handling situations, you always felt like a wise teacher, full of compassion, optimism and hope.  You will always be in our hearts! Close

I will miss you, Eileen  / Alice Griffin (Findlay Friend )
I am so sorry to lose you.  Close

God Bless you all  / Jackie Larson Cerise (classmate)
Eileen, Pat McNally and I would meet on the corner of Ash Street and Fifth Street to walk to grade school together.  Eileen lived on that corner.  We had great gabs and laughs.  I lost track of Eileen after school.  Your website is a great tribute to her and gave me an opportunity to know her in a small way. Thank you.  It sounds like Eileen made a great contribution to her family, friends. and career.  She will be with all of you in spirit.  God Bless and I will keep you all in my prayers. Close

Jane / Susan (aka Fjane) And Lucinda (aka Melinda) Snyder (Friend, coworker )
Eileen (aka Jane) -- a piece of our foundation is missing but your legacy will live forever -- teaching us how to "breathe" in times of stress, amazing us with your trivia knowledge, providing quiet wisdom, and making us all smile. You showed us how life should be lived; you brought joy to everyone. I'll miss you, Jane, at work most of all but also outside of work at events, especially basketball games -- may your spirit be with us. Love to your family and friends and most especially Debbie. 
Susan and Lucinda Close

One of the smartest girls to come out of Goosetown (east Anaconda)  / Ruth Quigley Nee: McCarvel (Classmate- 12 yrs. )

Eileen was without a doubt the smartest student in the St. Peter's class of '64.  She was so bright and could do it all.  I remember a composition she wrote in school- it must have been in the 7th or 8th grade.  The assignment was to write, in the first person, the life of a shoe.  Sister had her read it aloud.  She wrote about a pair of her mother's shoes- the shoes her mother wore when she was in the military during WWII. Eileen brought to life the adventures of a young woman who went off to serve her country.  Eileen wrote with crispness and an economy of words that managed to tell a wonderful story.  What I remember most was the conclusion of the composition, where in she said ( and this is close to a quote) ".. I lay dormant for many years until one day I was dusted off to march in a parade..". 

She had many gifts.  Reading the posts here, it is obvious she was dearly loved.  I wish to send my sympathy to her friends and family, you were blessed to have her in your lives.

Ruthie

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Eileen our friend  / Karen Sisson (Friend, fellow staff )
Eileen will always remain in my mind one of the smartest computer users at Senior Services.  When we would be sent to computer training classes, I would always show up early so I could get a seat in the back so no one would actually be watching what screen I was on - which was usually the wrong one.  Terri Kimble was sitting next to Eileen in one of these sessions, and I have to say Eileen was there before the instructor told us to go there, Terri was not amused because she got there when the instructor told us to go there.  (sorry Terri if you are reading this)  I had a hard time getting there at all.
I will miss being on committees with Eileen, and just seeing here 'around' the maze of Senior Services. 
I am greatfull to Eileen, when we were talking about addictions one time, I told her I was addicted to gummy bears.  She asked if I had tried the gummy candies from Trader Joe's, I had not.  She said they were the very best.  I have now, and she was correct!  I will bring some to share on the 24th if they still have them, she would like that. 
Eileen, you will be a part of us forever.
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letter to Murphy family  / Janet McNamee Bjornemo (childhood neighbor )
To all of the Murphy's and their families, I just wanted to express my sincrere sympathy to you. Eileen, you were one of the "Ash Street Kids" all 25-30 of us. I think I remember most about you is high school, although 4 years ahead of me in school I can still remember that there was always a horn honking for you in front of your house. You were always up for an adventure. Looking at Eileen's picture, I t was like looking at a picture of your Mother and from what the paper reads that she also had her gust for life. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Close

To Debbie Crumb and Family  / Terry Murphy (1st cousin )
Dear Debbie,  My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours at this time. I was sad to read of Eileen Ann's death in today's paper I have many fond memories of her growing up. I was so happy to see the web site and see all the photos , she sure looked like my aunt Bernadine.
I was glad to see that she had someone as special as you to share her life with, you both looked so happy together.
My god bless you and give you strength each and every day, I know how hard it is to lose someons so close.

with sympthy   Terry Murphy
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Eileen.... / Heidi Ripley (Niece)
Eileen...In life you were an example of what "the good life is". You were a example of living well, loving well, and enjoying every minute of life. Many people will comment on how your death was so sudden and unexpected, and how could you have died so young. I will wonder instead, how you lived your life with so much passion, how you made every minute count-and how you showered not only the Murphy family-but also the Crumb family with love. You will be missed so much-
Heidi Close

Scrabble buddy extraordinaire  / Kim Nicholas (friend/Scrabble crony )
Dear Eileen,

Our 25 years of friendship was a gift and filled with so many memorable moments.  As my boss at I &A back in the mid 80's you were wonderful to work for- funny, caring, flexible, and smarter by far than the rest of us. (I'll never forget the retreat we had at your place and your rendition of "old Shep"). The early Scrabble days were special because you kept me company in the "losing" column against formidable opponents and in the "I don't cook, let's order out for pizza" category against the gourmet cooks in our midst. Then, of course, over time you moved out of the loser arena and became a frequent Scrabble winner and, worst of all, put me to shame by becoming a real cook!  ( The betrayal I felt was short-lived because good food wins my heart every time...now Scrabble is a different story...)  You and I shared a passion for the mystery man at the Mariners games that sits behind home plate-we just knew he'd be perfect for Shelle if only we knew who he was!!  And then wondering where he disappeared to mid- season after seeing him in the stands for years... Who knew anyone else paid attention... I was floored when you knew exactly who I meant and shared the same thoughts.

What comforts me at this very sad time is knowing what a wonderful quality of life (albeit way too short) you had.  An incredible loving partner of 19 years, who I knew at first meeting, was perfect for you- and even though you were afraid to put your heart on the line at first, you never, ever regretted it once you did.  It was so obvious how in love you two were/are all these years. The wonderful connections you had to each other's families and the times spent with them-on trips or playing games or celebrating milestones.  The incredible bonds you had with friends from college who were so important in your life and who love you dearly. The circle of friends you and Debbie developed everywhere you went-whether it was at Storm or Huskies games or at Church. Senior Services will never be able to replace you-you really were the heart and soul there.  Admirers everywhere you touched.

I will miss you forever but you will never be far from my thoughts, Eileen.  Please tell Lindy you're there to give her a run for her money at Scrabble but the rest of the Scrabble group will give you a good head start (like 30 years ) before we come to take you on.  I can hear you both laughing from here.

Love, Kim
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What a wonderful friend you were.  / Elizabeth Grabow (friend)
Eileen and I shared the love of reading.  We loved reading the same books, sharing our opinions and great enjoyment or disapointment in shared literature.  I will truly miss our friendship and joy of sharing a good book. Deb,  Marsha and I are praying for you and your family. love Beth Grabow Close