Mary 'Rita' Murphy

MARY "RITA" WELDON MURPHY

Parnell

Slan, an Irish Goodbye to Mary "Rita" Weldon Murphy. Born June 12, 1926, second child of John Weldon and Anna Cain Weldon, she grew up on a farm west of Parnell, a predominantly Irish enclave. She passed away Oct. 11, 2015, at age 89.

Rita graduated from Parnell High School in 1944, received a teaching certificate and taught country school until her marriage on Oct. 8, 1947, to Joseph Murphy, a World War II veteran.

A homemaker and community volunteer, Rita raised their four children in Parnell and worked with Joe at their Murphy Grocery Store from 1954 to 1975. They then both worked at Super Valu in Williamsburg. She stayed in their home in Parnell after Joe's death in 1986, until moving to Highland Ridge in 2011. She was a member of St. Joseph Church in Parnell her entire life until it closed in 2012, Altar & Rosary Society and American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed family gatherings more than anything, especially in her lovely yard in Parnell, baking, cooking, reading, word games, occasional casino visits and traveling to many states to see family.

Rita is survived by her daughters, Jean Ann and Dennis Lamm of Wellington Colo., Janet Murphy of Naples, Fla., and Marilyn and Tom Von Ahsen of St. Louis, Mo.; daughter-in-law, Sue Murphy of Greeley, Colo.; and six grandchildren, Kevan and Alexa Lamm, Dana and Chris Bartlett, Barry and Kim Von Ahsen, Nathan and Jenna Von Ahsen and Jessica and George Birthisel, Codie and Marcus Allen.

She was very proud of her 11 great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Warren and Aiden Lamm, Owen and Emerson Bartlett, Adalyn and Charlie Von Ahsen and Keegan, Johann, Tully and Olin Birthisel. Brother, Clem and Audrey Weldon of North English; and sister-in-law, Madonna and Joe Black of Amana, also survive.

Besides her parents and husband, Joe, she was preceded in death by her son, John Murphy (7-24-10); and siblings and in-laws, Frank and Colleen Weldon, Harold and Marge Weldon, Dean Weldon and Margaret and Joe Hanson.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Highland Ridge; her dear friends, Shirley and Marlys, who took her to appointments and church after the move from Parnell; and her nieces and nephews who continued to visit and include her in their family dinners and outings.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Highland Ridge, St. Joseph Cemetery fund or your choice.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williamsburg. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Parnell. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg where there will be a rosary recited at

4 p.m.

Messages and tributes may be left at www.powell

funeralhomes.com.