The funeral will take place this Friday evening and on Saturday afternoon of Sheila Murphy (née Casey), late of Marian Terrace, Killarney, who passed away, peacefully, on Wednesday.
A very gentle and caring lady, who was hugely popular in her hometown throughout her long life, she was born and reared in the landmark Deenagh Lodge in The Demesne – one of the most photographed properties in Killarney National Park at Knockeeer – where her family resided.
Following their marriage, she and her husband Liam – who passed away in October 2019 – set up home in Marian Terrace where they reared their three daughters and two sons, all of whom went on to enjoy their own successes in life.
Sheila was blessed with a wonderful singing voice and she played a key part in a number of colourful and entertaining musicals with the Killarney Players and, later, in the Tops of the Town talent competitions.
She was also a long-serving member of the choir in St Mary’s Cathedral and her distinctive voice helped grace many funeral Masses and other services.
The Murphy children were all very accomplished in the sporting world – with GAA and basketball to the fore – and one of the family’s proudest moments was when son, Connie, was named man-of-the-match when Dr Crokes won the All-Ireland Club Championship final in 1992.
Prior to that, following some wonderful performances for Kerry at inter-county level, he was named a GAA All-Star in 1989.
Connie and his late father, Liam, had the unique honour of both winning seven East Kerry senior football championship (O’Donoghue Cup) titles with the black and amber.
Sheila Murphy is survived by her children Mary, Sheila, Jerry, Connie and Kate, sons-in-law Kieran Forde, Pat Leahy and Eoghan Donnellan, daughters-in-law Catherine and Yvonne and grandchildren David, Alison, Steven, Adam, Juliette, Tricia, Lia, Laura, Mark and Tara.
Predeceased by her sisters Mary, Kathleen and Peggy and her brothers Denis and Con, she is further survived by her sister Eileen Clifford and brother John Casey, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, relatives, neighbours, many friends and the residents and staff at Killarney Nursing Home.
Reposing at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney this Friday evening from 7.15pm to 8.30pm, Requiem Mass will be on Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock in St Mary’s Cathedral, followed by burial in the New Cemetery. The Requiem Mass will be live streamed on https://www.churchservices.tv/killarneycathedral.
The family has asked for donations, in lieu of flowers, if desired, to be made to the Alzheimers Association.
