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Shirley Jane (Matchette) Murphy

Posted 2009-04-02 by Sharon
The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ
April 16, 2008, p. A9

Shirley Jane Murphy of Wickenburg, age 86, passed away April 9 after an extended battle with dementia. Shirley was born Shirley Jane Matchette to parents Bert and Hazel Matchette in Phoenix.

Shirley’s youth was spent between Los Angeles and Wickenburg. Shirley’s connection to Wickenburg can be traced back to her grandfather, Charles Shontz, Sr. and the original family home on 89 South Washington Street.

She attended first, third, and tenth grades in The Little Red School House. The other years of education and residence were spent in Los Angeles where she graduated from Los Angeles High School and Los Angeles City College in 1941.

After moving back to Phoenix in 1942 she took up employment with Allison Steel and the War Production Board. Because of her belief in and dedication to community service, she volunteered and became president of the Phoenix Chapter USO. It was during this time that she met Tommy Murphy, and the two were married in 1945 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Phoenix. The couple moved to Wickenburg where they raised their four children.

Shirley became employed by Dwight Harkins Theaters for the Saguaro Theater from 1948 through 1961. In 1962 Shirley and Tommy purchased the local five and dime which later became known as T & S Variety (the current Livery Mercantile), which they owned and operated until 1982. After a brief retirement, Shirley returned to employment at the Rancho Grande Motel as a night clerk from 1982 through 1986. After Tommy passed away in 1985 Shirley spent more time traveling, bowling, and volunteering with the American Legion Auxiliary, BPO Elks Ladies Auxiliary, Desert Caballeros Western Museum and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

Along with her Dad and Tommy, they built a home on the corner of Santa Cruz and Jackson in 1947 where she resided until the Fall of 2005. After moving to My Father’s Retirement Ranch in the fall of 2005 she spent her final year residing at Sun View Estates in Surprise, Ariz.

Shirley is survived by Dennis (Carla) Murphy, Molly (Richard) Murphy Atwood, Patrick Murphy and Kevin (Carolyn) Murphy; grandchildren Dennis (Stacey) Murphy, Amy (Cory) Murphy Bean, Donald (Stacey) Murphy, Geoffrey (Jessica) Murphy, Thomas Murphy, Kevin Atwood, Carly Atwood, Kelly Atwood, Levi Murphy, Tyler Murphy, Sheldon Murphy, Lauren Murphy, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Please join the family for Mass to be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Saturday (April 19) and a reception to follow in the O’Sullivan Hall to share your memories, laughter, and tears.

Shirley will be buried at the Wickenburg Municipal Cemetery in a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elk’s Lodge Ladies Auxiliary BPOE 2160, 122 N. Frontier St. Wickenburg, AZ 85390.

Arrangements under the direction of Wickenburg Funeral Home & Crematory.


See Also: Find a Grave




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