Mary Ellen Murphy

November 30, 1926-September 21, 2017

Mary Ellen Murphy passed away on September 21, 2017 in San Jose, California where she lived for the last 47 years.

Mary Ellen was born in Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her parents were John Morris Murphy and Mary Agnes Mahon Murphy.  She grew up with brothers Robert, Paul, and Charlie.  She went to Kindergarten at Stewart Training School at the University of Utah and attended grade school at Judge Memorial.  In 1944, she graduated from Judge Memorial Catholic High School.  After attending college at St. Mary of the Wasatch in Salt Lake City and the University of California, Berkeley, she earned her bachelor's degree in English from the University of Utah in 1948.

After graduation, she attended LDS Business School and worked for GMAC, the General Motors Acceptance Corporation.  Mary Ellen worked as a receptionist at the Salt Lake County Attorney's Office and as an assistant to the governor of Utah, J. Bracken Lee.

Mary Ellen earned a teaching certificate from San Jose State in 1956 and a Master's of Education from the University of Utah in 1970. Mary Ellen taught at Joseph Bonnheim Elementary in Sacramento, Lafayette and Webster elementary schools in Salt Lake City, as well as Dora Moore and McMeen schools in Denver.  She taught elementary school for a total of 36 years. Her longest tenure was at Forest Hill Elementary in the Campbell Union School District, where she taught for 24 years.  Mary Ellen retired in 1991.

She was an aunt to nine nieces and nephews: Barbara Pesek (John), Carolyn Beckwith (Steven), Patricia Cayanni (Jean), Ann Murphy, Catherine Sherwood, Patricia Murphy-Cone (Pat), John Murphy (Judy), Mark Murphy (Katie), and Stephen Murphy.  She also had 13 great-nephews and nieces: Mark Pesek (Beth), Meredith Carver (Scott), Philippe Cayanni (Kate), Melissa Joye (Daniel), Alexander Cayanni, Stephanie McStotts (Phill), Tiffany Rathgeber (Cy), Chandler Sherwood, Spencer Sherwood, Aidan Cone, Ian Murphy, Annie Murphy, and Charlie Murphy.  Her great-great nephews are Jack Pesek, Lucas Joye, and Paul Joye.  Her great-great niece is Zoey Cayanni.

Mary Ellen had a passion and a talent for music which she enthusiastically shared with her students, fellow parishioners, family and friends. She was an organist and choir member for the parish music ministry wherever she lived. Her other passions were world travel, bridge, theater and classical music.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 28, 2017 at Church of the Ascension in Saratoga, California.  Mary Ellen will be buried at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Salt Lake City, Utah, alongside her grandparents, parents, and siblings (including her brother John Francis and two infants who died before she was born).

In lieu of flowers, it is humbly suggested that a donation be made to Catholic Relief Services or a food bank of your choice.