Pauline Rita Murphy

On the evening of April 25th, 2015, Pauline passed away in the quiet comfort of her home in Bakersfield, CA of natural causes. Pauline was blessed to have lived a full and fulfilling 93 years of life. She was born on September 24, 1921 in Denver, CO to George and Hannah Graveline. She and her sister Eleanor were raised in Denver and lived the busy whirl of young socialites of the community. During the years of WWII, Pauline worked for the war effort in a cryptography department run out of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. In 1945 she went to work for United Airlines as one of the first airline stewardesses. She flew with them for several years and still remembered her work there very fondly even decades later.

Her association with United Airlines went on to alter the entire course of her life when she was asked by the president of the company if she would like an introduction to his secretary, Mr. (Jack) John Murphy. That introduction led to a love story that culminated with a lavish wedding on January 17, 1948 due to the generosity of the Galleghers of The Gallegher Transport Company of Denver, Co, close friends of Pauline during her years as a stewardess. Mr. Patterson of United Airlines honored the couple by being the groom's best man. Pauline and Jack built a life together over 39 years that was blessed with 3 children, participation in the upper social circles of Chicago, frequent travel to places such as Ireland, Japan, and Hawaii for both business and pleasure and many, many happy memories together.

In more recent years she regaled her grandchildren for hours on end with stories of her young adult life and her early marriage, always indulging the desire to hear her tell her adventures and show off her treasured belongings yet another time. Pauline was a gifted craftsperson and the porcelain dolls she personalized for each family member are particularly remembered at this time and will continue to be treasured family keepsakes for many years to come.

Pauline is survived by her 3 children: Pam, Bill (Maureen) of Bakersfield, CA and Tim (Laura) of Minneapolis, MN; 5 grandchildren: Matthew (Becky), Chris (Tara), Caitlin, Molly and Brian; as well as her extended family on the East Coast including her nieces Sandy Nylen, Linda Coley and Lois Jenkins, great-niece Dawn Sequeira and her children Mikie, Jacque, and Zoey.

Pauline was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Jack Murphy; parents, George and Hannah Graveline; nephew, Steve Schell; sister, Eleanor Schell; and niece, Janie Anderson.

Jack symbolically expressed his love to Pauline over the years with a single white rose and this tradition was continued by her children. We will forever think of her and her poise, her grace, and her beauty in the form of that single white rose.