Elizabeth Louise (Wilcox) Murphy

Obituary for Elizabeth W Murphy

Elizabeth Murphy departed this life for the next on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, 2023 in Laurel, Maryland.

She is survived by her two children, son Philip Murphy, daughter Janet Murphy Pena, son-in-law Manuel “Mike” Pena, cousins Joan Sanders, Duane Ingraham, Helena Kaczynski, and nieces and nephews.

Those loved ones who have predeceased her are her husband, Francis Murphy, her brother John Wilcox, her parents Elsie and Clare Wilcox, and many cousins.

Elizabeth and Francis were married in 1955.

Elizabeth Wilcox was born on February 11, 1927 and raised in Ionia, Michigan. She graduated from Ionia High School as the class valedictorian. She attended Central Michigan College from September of 1944 to June of 1948, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in chemistry and home economics, and then attended the University of Chicago from 1948 to 1954, receiving her Masters of Science in Human Nutrition.

During a 31-year career with the United States Department of Agriculture in the field of human nutrition, she worked in several USDA agencies in Beltsville, Hyattsville, and Washington, DC.

During retirement, she indulged in her passion for experiences, traveling to all seven continents, and seeing about fifty countries. She also visited all fifty states, and all of the Canadian provinces. She also enjoyed aerobic swimming for many years, and attending the ballet.

Elizabeth Murphy was member Saint Philip’s Episcopal Church from 1956 to 1991 and a member of Laurel Presbyterian Church from 1992 to 2023. She gave her time and effort as a volunteer to both of these churches during her membership.

She volunteered at the U S Fish and Wildlife Patuxent Research Center in Beltsville from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, and also with the Laurel Library Association during the 1980s through the early 2000s.

She had a rewarding life, survived COVID and was content to have friends and family at the other end of the telephone, and the television and newspapers to keep the world open to her.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, July 29, 2023, 1 pm at the Laurel Presbyterian Church.  Donations in her honor can be made to Laurel Presbyterian Church, 7610 Old Sandy Spring Rd, Laurel, MD 20707.