Obituary of Sister Michele Murphy, CSJ

Michele Murphy, CSJ

Michele Murphy was a gracious friend, wonderful teacher, and a woman of deep faith. She was born Dorothy Ann, in Grand Forks, ND, on March 28, 1930, to Michael and Luella (Hutton) Murphy, and died peacefully at Carondelet Village in St. Paul, MN, on December 2, 2022. Michele entered the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1946 and in 1958 earned a BA in English and Education from the College of St. Catherine, in St. Paul, MN. Michele was missioned to teach at many Province schools including St. Patrick, St. Columba and Holy Spirit in St. Paul; St. Kevin and St. Charles Borromeo in Minneapolis; St. Raphael in Crystal; St. Michael in Grand Forks, ND; St. Mary and St. Aloysius in Olivia; Holy Redeemer in Marshall; and John Ireland in St. Peter. Michele had a deep love for each of her students, and after 36 years of teaching she longed to pass on the benefit of her experiences to those who followed her. In 1986 she founded Project One-Fifty, where she designed creative teaching materials to aid elementary, special education, and home-schooling educators. She described this work as “teachers helping teachers,” and for 16 years Michele, along with other Sister colleagues, would offer workshops and provide these materials to teachers all across Minnesota. Those who knew Michele will miss her generous heart and wonderfully dry sense of humor.

Michele is preceded in death by her parents; sister Mary Zubrod; brother Frank Murphy and is survived by many nieces and nephews; grandnieces and nephews; dear friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 11:00 AM, in Our Lady of the Presentation Chapel, 1884 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, with burial following at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights. Memorials preferred to the Sisters of St. Joseph Ministries Foundation.

Dear Michele, rest in love and peace.