Rita Elizabeth Murphy

Rita Elizabeth Murphy, 84, of Erie CO, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 11, 2023, after a long battle with dementia. Rita was born July 1, 1939, in St. John’s Newfoundland CA, the daughter of Samuel and Ethel (Pope) Moore. She married P. Myles Murphy in 1962 in St. John’s NFLD where they lived until 1967 when they and their 2 sons moved to Saul Village, IL and subsequently Crown Point, IN. In 2018 she moved to Colorado with her son Daniel (Cherie) and lived there until her death.

Rita worked for EF Barnes shipbuilders in St. John’s and was a school bus driver for many years when she lived in Sauk Village. In her later years she used those skills to shuttle her grandchildren to school, sports and music activities, and whatever other events they could convince her to drive them to. She loved being with her grandchildren and was an integral part of their lives. Rita was an avid photographer and had photos published in the Newfoundland Downhomer Calendar. She also loved to cross stitch and to travel. Driving was her passion, and we estimate that she had driven to 49 States, all the Canadian Provinces and several of the Canadian Territories.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband P. Myles Murphy, her parents, Samuel, and Ethyl, her great-grandson Kayden, and her many brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her sons Peter (Maureen) Murphy of IL, Daniel (Cherie) Murphy of CO, grandchildren, Peter Murphy of IL, Connor Murphy of IL, Erin Murphy of IL, Kathleen (Kevin) Rix of IN, Sean Murphy of CO, Margaret Nitschman of IL, Kyle Verhoeve (Emilee) of IN, and Katie Bentley (Zach) of TN and 7 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins that loved her dearly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Granger, Indiana on Saturday August 5, 2023, at 10:30 am EDT with visitation beginning at 9:30 am. A luncheon will be held immediately following the Mass.

The interment will be held at St. James Cemetery, Sauk Village, Illinois on Monday August 7, 2023, at 11:00 am CDT.

"In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Rita Murphy to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.allnuttloveland.com for the Murphy family.