Etta R. Murphy of Wilmington, DE

Etta R. Murphy, 86, of Wilmington, DE passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 4, 2018 surrounded by her family. Etta was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, George J. Murphy.

Etta was born in Wilmington on October 18, 1931, daughter of the late Pasquale and Rita (Paoli) Marini. She was a graduate of P. S. du Pont High School, Class of 1950. When Etta worked outside of the home, she was primarily employed as a bookkeeper, working for various organizations including; the original Kramedas Produce, Boy Scouts of America and Hart Construction Company. In addition, Etta was the only employee at Kraft Foods’ Headquarters in Wilmington and also worked for the Department of Elections. However, her main job and the one that gave her greatest joy was homemaker, wife, Mom and Mom-Mom which she performed tirelessly and with utmost dedication.

In her earlier years, Etta was involved with the Girl Scouts as a leader, she generously volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Community Action Program (CAP) and the Emmanuel Dining Room. She was a dedicated and active member of St. Matthew’s Parish and School, serving as homeroom mother and providing many delicious treats for their bake sales. Etta was an avid baker and candy maker. She took pride and pleasure in allowing her grandchildren to choose their favorite childhood character which she would then bake and decorate a cake in the character’s resemblance. She also enjoyed time with her good friends and neighbors from Glen Berne Estates and her friends in their crafting club which they affectionately nicknamed the “Stitch and Bitch” Club. Above all, Etta was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who will be dearly missed by her family. Etta is survived by her children, George Murphy and wife, Anita; Michael Murphy and wife, Carol; Rita Murphy and Mark Murphy and his partner, Kevin O’Hara; her grandchildren, George and wife, Sarah, Christopher and wife, Brenda, Timothy and wife, Ladonna, Anne, Jennifer, Katie, and Andrew and wife, Kate; and her great grandchildren, Madeleine, George, Brady, Silas, Stella, Rowan and Caleb . She is also survived by her brothers, Dante Marini and wife Beebe and Larry Marini and many nieces and nephews.

Etta’s family would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to all of those who helped care for her during her long and progressive illness; including extended family, friends, neighbors and most notably the caregivers from Rockland Place’s Pathways and Peggy Siple. None of you will ever be forgotten.

Family and friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 1900 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington on Friday, March 9 from 5:00-7:00PM and at St. Matthew’s Church, 901 E. Newport Pike, Woodcrest on Saturday, March 10 from 9:009:45AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the morning visitation at 10:00AM. Interment will follow in Cathedral Cemetery.

Due to the Lenten season, in lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations in memory of Etta be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713.