Barbara Kathryn Murphy, age 58, of Greenville, passed away early Tuesday morning, Dec. 27, 2005 at Spectrum Health-Blodgett Campus, East Grand Rapids. The daughter of Bernard E. & Eileen C. (Wise) Murphy, she was born on May 21, 1947 in Champaign, Ill. She attended Aquinas College and Western Michigan University, and earned her Masters degree from Michigan State University. Barbaras life focused on her children and grandchildren. A lifelong educator, she recently retired from Lakeview Public Schools.
She was preceded in death by her father, Bernard Murphy; her mother, Eileen Murphy Copp; and her step-father, George Copp. Surviving are a daughter, Bernadette Roberts, stationed with the State Department at the U.S. Embassy in Albania; a son, Damian Roberts of Carson City; three grandchildren, Paetin, Dorian, and Devlin Roberts; a brother and sister-in-law, Judge Bill (Paula) Murphy of Grand Rapids; four nieces, Bridget (John) Sebastian, Erin (Joe) Ader, Meghan Murphy, and Kara Murphy; step-siblings and their families, Gary (Kathleen) Copp, Ken (Joyce) Copp, and Carolyn (Jack) McCumber; and several grand nieces and nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Barbara will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, 2005 at St. Charles Catholic Church, Greenville, with Father Phil Salmonowicz presiding. Visitation is Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Brown-Teman & Christiansen Funeral Home, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the charity of ones choice.
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