Betty Murphy
Betty A. Murphy, 93, a former resident of Stamford, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at Notre Dame Convalescent Home of Norwalk. She was born in New York City on June 18, 1929 to the late Gilbert and Madeline Giuliano Rossillo. In addition to her parents, Betty was also predeceased by her husband, Philip Murphy, Jr., in 2013 and her sister, Amy Burt, in 2011.
Ever soft in voice and short in stature, Betty lived with a heart of immeasurable care and compassion for those she loved. A graduate of Stamford High School, Betty worked for Pitney Bowes where she met and then married her husband of 57 years. She helped raise five children, the matriarch of a large loving family that came to know Raymond Street, her home, as a place of gathering, of comfort, and of the soft, sweater-clad, open arms she held to all. She was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church and very dedicated to her faith. Her relationship with Christ was reflected in the care she showed her family and her life was a true example of faith-lead service, love, and devotion.
Betty enjoyed walking at Cove Island, lunches at Cummings Park, building puzzles, and watching the Yankees. What gave her the most joy was spending time with her family. She would gladly watch whatever kids tv shows her grandchildren were excited to share with her when visiting, and they loved her secret stash of candy that seemed like it would never go empty. She had a warmth and patience to her that made spending time with her feel like time spent in sunshine. A smile on her face was guaranteed at holidays and family gatherings, especially with her grandchildren and great grandchild. In a family whose crowded group photos sometimes resembled more of a football team, she was always at the center; the embodiment of that patient and compassionate love for which she will always be remembered.
Betty is survived by her loving children, Philip Murphy III and his wife Kristin of Norwalk, Elizabeth Heiman and her husband Dwight of Needham, MA, Rev. Richard Murphy of Greenwich, Rosemary McDonald and her husband Patrick of Newtown, Margaret Fraioli and her husband Marc of Stamford, as well as eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
On Tuesday, February 14, 2023 a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s RC Church, 566 Elm Street, Stamford. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Rockrimmon Road, Stamford. Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Monday, February 13, 2023 from 4:00-8:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Betty’s memory to Notre Dame Convalescent Home, 76 W. Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT 06851.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com