I was completely stunned and very saddened to learn of Whitney's recent battle with cancer and passing. I have been living/working in France and so I have been very much out of the loop with regards to what was happening back home in NC. I was absolutely shocked and heartbroken when I got the news! Whitney and I were office neighbors for a while in the NTPL branch. She was such a wonderful person, colleague, and friend to so many of us. She was a bright light who no doubt will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with Whitney, Jimmy, and their adorable children Lydia and JJ (who I had the pleasure of meeting), and all of their family and friends during this very difficult and painful time. I am so sorry for your loss! -Will

I met Whitney Murphy through my son- he and JJ were playing together at a daycare function and we got to talking and realized that we all worked at the same place! Since then, as with most of the stories I've been reading, we became fast friends, bonding over our kids and our work. It was such a joy to unexpectedly see her or Jimmy on my "side of the campus". I had some serious post-partum pregnancy complications and Whitney brought me a pot of her Chili (which quickly became a favorite meal of mine) with sour cream and cornbread. I am not one to ask for help and was uncomfortable even accepting help but it was sorely needed and I appreciated it more than she probably ever knew. I so admire her openness and willingness to ask for and receive help during the last six months. It is unbelievable to me that this should happen to someone like Whitney. Whereas I know she is out of pain, I feel so deeply for Jimmy and their kids. I hope they will always know what a wonderful woman she was and how she made an impact on so many people's lives.

I met Whitney my freshman year of college at Miami University, as I was lucky enough to live a few doors down from her in Tappan hall. I remember her door was often open on a weekend night with the music blasting. I loved hanging out in her room whether it was to get ready for a night out, watch a movie, or just have a friendly chat. I have so many fond memories of our time at Miami- nights out dancing, long lunches in the dining hall sharing a bakery treat, “road trips” to the Colerain mall, and many other college shenanigans haha! I really admired how Whitney was always her true authentic self. She definitely had strong points of view, but was also one of the most caring and accepting people I know. I always felt like I could talk to Whit about anything and she would offer sage advice and never pass judgement. We gradually lost touch a bit as time went on, but she reached out to me last year to check in after some challenges I experienced following the birth of my son. When we spoke on the phone for the first time in years, it was amazing to me how it felt like literally no time had passed. I felt instantly at ease talking to my old friend and in true Whitney fashion she really helped me process my feelings and gave some great parenting advice as well. I’m so grateful I had that opportunity to reconnect before her passing, and will always treasure the time we shared together. Prayers and hugs to her family and friends during this difficult time.  

Whitney was a dear friend of mine from our college days at Miami U in Oxford, Ohio.  We sat next to each other in rehearsals three times a week for Choraliers (women’s choir) during our junior year, and quickly became friends.  I introduced her to my group of friends and she came to our parties, and vice versa.  We often met for lunch at “Bell Tower” cafeteria and talked about friends, boyfriends, classes, keeping up our GPAs, and our hopes and dreams for the future.  Whitney always helped me with my Spanish.  We sat next to each other at graduation and cheered for each other when our names were called.
When Whitney was pregnant with Lydia, she started posting on facebook about how difficult it was, and I wanted to support her however I could, so I started mailing her “pamper packages” with things like bubble bath and chocolates.  I was so amazed at her strength and grace during a first pregnancy, I was not nearly as tough when my daughter was in utero!  While I celebrate her life, I will always remember the day Whitney posted about her diagnosis earlier this year, and what it was like to follow her journey on the Whitney’s Warriors page.  The only thing I could do was pray and add to the meal train, and try to offer words of encouragement.  I wish I could have done more.

I’ve been marinating on words for a week. To know Whitney, to be blessed to call her your friend…  it’s a pretty amazing club to be in. 

My husband and I relocated from San Diego to Durham in May of 2020 - smack dab in the pandemic after cancelling our wedding and hopping on an empty plane with our pets. We have a dog named Ginny Ann, and quickly met Whitney when she would walk Tucker around the ‘hood. Whit and I quickly realized we had many common interests and became fast friends. She coordinated sno-cone days, our “safe” trick or treating event for the neighborhood kids, the cookie exchange… and she was always a sounding board. I went through 6 months of hell in and out of hospitals right after we moved when my spleen ruptured, and I should have been the one who died. I’ll never forget her texting me to donate for a fundraiser and I responded with “well I’m in the hospital again but I have my wallet hold on I’ll page a nurse to reach it” 😂 Let’s just say she was a determined individual who wanted to meet her goals! 

My time with Whitney was too short, but I am forever thankful for how she impacted my life and befriended me. I’m thankful they were able to come over this summer for a pool and pizza day after we moved out of Wood Chapel - a day I’ll never forget. We dog sat Tucker last year when they went to the beach, and are honored to do so again as Jimmy is keeping to her wishes // still going to honor her and spread some ashes as her happy place was the water. 

Whitney was a force. Whitney was my friend. Whitney will be forever missed.


I first met Whitnet after moving into our neighborhood June of 2016. We became FB friends via our Wood Chapel FB group before meeting in person at a neighborhood event. We both sent our kids  to TLC and she always praised the school so much! She even sent them there for their after-school program once James started attending Kestrel heights this yr. I feel like the first time we met in person may had been at Asaneths home, or national night out. Whitney was always helping organize neighborhood events! I also love to plan so we'd always message and try to figure things out together with other moms in the neighborhood.  She invited me to a mother's day painting session in brier creek and it was my 1st time ever attending one of those events! I remember her being prepared with snacks and she shared what she had. I'll forever sharish that painting and think of her! She also attended a girls facial party at my home (precovid) and I always thought how flawless her skin looked! After I had salena June 2020, she brought over a delicious dinner and her famous banana bread! I became SO obsessed with that banana bread I started to make it almost every other week after she shared the recipe. Even my mom makes it too! Once she was diagnosed with cancer, we started to do breakfast at my house when she was up for it on Wednesdays (since I have them off work). It was always super simple but so enjoyable. She also always posted on our neighborhood FB page all the items she didn't need anymore. I have a few toys and some of Lydia's princess dresses for Talia! I know it may sound silly, but I'll miss seeing her name pop up on my FB notifications. I still can't believe she's gone...I'll forever remember her as being an amazing, thoughtful, caring, giving neighbor and friend. I never would have thought our last Wednesday breakfast end of August would be the last time I'd see her. I miss her so much. Praying for God to give us all the strength to get thru this time. ❤


At the request of Gerry, I'll post this on both the Whitney's Warrior's Facebook page as well as her memorial site.

It's been really hard to come to terms with Whitney's death. I'm still having trouble forming sentences that describe her as being someone that is does not exist on this earth anymore. It's been one week and I'm still very much in shock. 

We're the next door neighbors of Jimmy Murphy and Whitney Murphy . Our daughters are the same age, and met at summer camp back a few years ago. We bought a house back in 2019, and lo and behold, they ironically turned out to be our next door neighbors! Whitney welcomed us that first day, and made us banana bread that was gone in about 60 seconds. 😂 

Our daughters had their ups and downs, and Whitney and I had to work through a lot of their small bickerings. But everything turned around when she was diagnosed back in May. She asked me, as a nurse, to help her with her chemo and her port every other weekend. Of course I said yes. 

Over the past few months we had gotten to know each other better, and had started getting closer. After looking back through our text messages we had been talking much more than ever, checking in with each other frequently, etc. She would ask questions about pain management and medication, which I did my best to help her with. She was trying SO hard to stay positive, and I admired it so much as I can be a pretty negative person. I told her that I used to work in Gastroenterology at Duke, and I've met many colon cancer survivors. I believed she could be one of them. I wanted her to keep fighting. 

I feel as if I lost a friend I was just getting to know. ❤️ She will be missed greatly. 

I am thinking of Whitney and the Murphy family today because it is their wedding anniversary! 10/9/9! Whitney and Jimmy’s wedding was a good time!! I remember Sunday dinners and family get together‘s prior to the wedding where she spoke about wanting to have a Candy Bar and that Candy Bar was THE BOMB!! It was such a beautiful day… Whitney had asked my younger two girls to be junior bridesmaids and they both looked so cute and had such a good time. My aunt Phyllis was there with my mom and we all were dancing up a storm at the end without a care in the world… I have never been a big fan of weddings but this one was one of the best and will always be remembered for many reasons by all of the people in my family. ❤️

My favorite thing about Whitney was her laugh. She was always smiling when I saw her. And I can hear her joyful laugh in my mind when I picture her. They just go together. 

I also admired what an incredible mom and wife she was. She and Jimmy have such a beautiful love story and were so perfect for each other. It was evident every time I was with them. She adored her beautiful children and was so proud of them. 

She will be missed. My most sincere sympathies to all who loved her and were touched by her wonderful, but much too short life. Rest In Peace Whitney. You are so loved.

So many great memories of Whitney!  I remember meeting her and Hayleigh and loving those curls. From having chicken pox together to becoming family when our dogs were married, I will never forget her smile. We stayed in touch through the years and watched each other grow through social media. Whitney will be missed by many. ❤️❤️

Whitney’s office was just down the hall from mine in Smith Warehouse at Duke.  From the moment I met her, I knew she was so talented, warm, personable, articulate, organized and fun to work with.  Her organizational skills were outstanding, and she was a monumental force in her department’s success.  I worked with her on a couple of committees, and her leadership skills were extraordinary.  We scheduled nearly-monthly lunches away from the office, during which we talked about family, kids, life in general, and sometimes (but not often) about work.  Her enthusiasm for everything was uplifting to all her colleagues. I so enjoyed seeing the kids when her mom brought them to visit at the office.  I knew from the start that her skills and talent would take her to a higher administrative level in another position beyond Duke.  I’m so glad we kept in touch through the years.  She was one-of-a-kind, and will never be forgotten.  I will keep all her family in my prayers.

I’m not sure if anyone would even know that Whitney and I were friends. We met on Facebook in a group that we were mutually interested in. She reached out to me during a time I was frustrated and needed support. For two years we chatted frequently and helped to encourage one another. I never even met her in person but she made a big difference in my life for the few years I got to be in hers. I’m a nurse and when she told me she had cancer I was so devastated for her. When I found out she passed it literally broke my heart, she told me she was not ready to leave this world.  I will miss our chats and I’ll never forget her. May God give her husband, children, and family peace and comfort during this time. 

Whitney was an important part of our research team during her time here in our branch.  She was incredibly efficient, hard-working and very tech-savvy which helped all of us biology-types, immensely.  Whitney had a real feel for people, a great sense of humor and understood the importance of relationships and how a personal touch helped in everyday tasks.  What I miss is being able to call anytime during the work day on Teams, or Skype or Zoom and get an answer to my pressing need of the day (no matter how trivial), and then to chat about how her children were doing or what her family had done on the weekend, or just the news of the day.  Her family was her life's center but she made plenty of room for the rest of us.  I remember my last conversation with her by Zoom a couple of weeks ago; she had pain medicine onboard and I could see she was uncomfortable, but she made time for me and I could still see and hear the Whitney I knew and we all loved, shine thru.  It was a conversation I won't ever forget.  She was just the best, and Whitney will be sorely missed by all of her friends and colleagues at the institute.  With great respect for Whitney and family - AlexM

I met Whitney while working at NIEHS.  As a newer employee, she was very friendly and personable.  My deepest condolences go to the family and loved ones.  The world won't be the same without her here.  

Jim and family, 
Whitney was a ray of sunshine at work and always had something funny to share or to lighten up a tough situation.  She made a real difference for those of us in NTPL...  became a good friend, too.  We had so much fun planning and hosting the NTP Christmas Party last year - best one ever and she was a big reason for that!! 
 I am so sorry for your loss ...   this is heart breaking.  I will remember her smile and laugh and curly hair that was up one minute and down the next, or vise versa.  My deepest sympathies to you all, and if there is ANYTHING I can do or organize, please let me know.  


I came across this photo of Whitney, I told her it made me SMILE to see it when she sent it!

Whitney was the first person that I had met when I started working at NIEHS and she trained me on all things with learning how to do Travel within the agency. She was a wonderful trainer, guiding light and a source of knowledge when I didn't have a clue.  Ever since, she's been that for me and I appreciated that so much! She will be forever remembered for her intelligence, positive attitude in life, and the willingness to always help others!

Love to all Whitney's family and sending my prayers and thoughts every day! Sincerely, Virginia Matthews

OBITUARIO

Whitney Jensen Murphy

22 diciembre, 1982 – 2 octubre, 2021

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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