Bonnie Lou Murphy

Bonnie Lou Cowan Murphy of Austin, Texas, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2014, shortly after celebrating her 75th birthday with the family that she lived for. Bonnie was born December 30, 1938 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the third and youngest child of Albert Napolean and Eleanora Vivian Cowan.

Directly out of high school, Bonnie married her husband Paul William, who at the time was a young Airman in the Air Force. Until his retirement in 1979, Bonnie followed Paul around the world, living in Okinawa, Japan; Alconbury, England; and several states within the USA, and maintained the family while Paul served in Vietnam for an entire year. Bonnie’s focus on these treks around the world as always, was family; dragging household and children from place to place, often on her own, as her husband often had to go on ahead because of military commitments.

Bonnie and Paul retired in Austin in 1979 after Paul was diagnosed with cancer, and receiving a medical discharge from the Air Force after 25 years. Her adoring husband finally succumbed to the cancer on October 2, 1988 in Austin, and Bonnie never remarried.

Bonnie had a long and satisfying career as a Pharmacy Technician with Eckerd’s Pharmacy stores, which eventually became CVS Pharmacies. Bonnie started as a drug clerk, running the register, and handing out prescriptions. Later when the requirements for her position changed, and the state began requiring a license for this position, Bonnie overcame her fear of technology, and math, and studied diligently, until she was able to pass her certification exam on her first attempt. Passing this exam was one of Bonnie’s proudest moments, and she had a smile on her face for several weeks.

Bonnie retired from CVS Pharmacies in 2006, and has spent her time since taking care of her family, and enjoying life.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents, and her two brothers, Bobbie Jean and Edgar Lee.

Bonnie is survived by her daughter, Deborah Lee and her husband, Dillon Duffin, her sons, Christopher Patrick and his ex-wife and unofficially adopted daughter, Jennifer Murphy, Michael Kevin and his wife, Elisa Murphy, Paul Joseph and his wife, Rosie Murphy. Bonnie’s granddaughters are Tegan Greaver, Valarie Garza, Sarah, Victoria, and Kaitlyn Murphy. Her grandsons are Benjamin, and Paul Ryan Murphy, and great-grandson, Braedon Heatley.

Bonnie gave her entire life to her family, and they will all miss her greatly.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2014 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 22, 2014 in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park located directly behind the funeral home