Sheila Mae Murphy

Sheila was born to James Leroy and Della Marie (Jones) Gardner on April 4, 1943, in Chicago, IL. When her father joined the United States Navy to fight in WWII, Sheila, her sister-partner, Cindy and her mother moved to Wonewoc, Wisconsin to live with her grandmother. Upon the ending of the war, the Gardner family returned to Chicago.

Growing up as the second oldest of ten siblings she had many responsibilities in caring for her brothers and sisters. At the age of 15, she learned to drive, navigate the city of Chicago, and parallel park the family’s 1957 Cadillac limousine. This was most impressive since she was 5’ 2” and weighed 90 lbs.! Thus began her chauffeur career as she drove her younger siblings around.

As a child Sheila’s favorite pastime was ice skating, dancing, shenanigans with her best friend, Sharon, fastpitch softball on the Chicago Ridge Girls’ Softball team, and Secretary of the American Legion’s Teen Club. Sheila was honored for her dedication to the community and crowned by the Southwest Suburban Cook County as their All-Star Queen in 1959.

In Sheila's freshman year she attended Blue Island High School before enrolling at Mount Assisi Academy, an all-girls prestigious Roman Catholic High School. Sheila excelled in English and mathematics with honors earning several certifications upon graduation on June 4, 1961. Sheila gave the Sisters quite a run for their money. Luckily, she was so petite she could hide in the lockers and could hang on the bathroom stall door to evade them. her crime? Wearing lipstick! She was adored by her classmates and in 1961 was crowned their Queen. After graduation, Sheila found employment at Filco Finance Company.

In 1963, the Gardner family relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado where Sheila began working in the finance department at Phil Long Ford. It was there where she met the suave salesman originally from Texas, Norman Leon Murphy. Norman and Sheila were married on Mother’s Day, May 8, 1966, and began having children as well as co-raise Norman’s children.

Colorado was a big adventure for her! What an amazing time she shared with Norman as he taught her how to hunt, fish, camp, 4-wheel, enjoy the mountains and wildlife. Many of these trips were accompanied by her “sister partner” Cynthia, her husband Bill Flanagan, and their daughters. Sheila was passionate about being a mother. She volunteered every year as a room mother and considered all her children’s friends her own. On Saturday mornings she would take the kids roller skating and you could find her be-bopping around the roller rink right along with them. Summers were spent growing fresh fruits and vegetables in her garden and taking a break to swim with her children at Valley Swim Club. She was fun, vibrant and youthful.

Sheila had another family, her church family. Sheila was baptized at the Pikes Peak Church of Christ in 1974. She spent a lot of time studying, praying and leading Ladies Bible Class, youth group and Vacation Bible School. Spiritual mentoring was one of her greatest gifts.

Just a few personas of Sheila: devoted servant of Jesus, homemaker wife, mother, beauty queen, fantastic bowler, tomboy and roller-skater, bible study leader, seamstress, businesswomen and entrepreneur, dreamer, linguist, lover of nature and all animals, queen of the kitchen and hostess to many.

Sheila will best be remembered by her considerate and thoughtful nature, her loyalty, humbleness and sincerity in all she did. We will miss her beautiful face, witty personality and her wise counsel.

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Renee Gardner and Debbie Leiting, both of CO; brothers, Harry Gardner of CO and James Gardner of SC; and stepchildren, Miriam Juanita Petersen of OK and Thomas Leon Murphy of CO.

She is survived by the devoted love of her life, husband of 56 years, Norman Leon Murphy of CO; son, Michael Brian Murphy (Brandy) of CO, daughter, Tamara Marie (Murphy) Hargett (Aaron) of TX, and stepdaughters, Deborah Ann Murphy of CO and Leah Kay Slaton of TX; her sisters, Cynthia Flanagan of CO, Teresa Metts (Brad) of CO and Patricia Gonzalez (Andy) of VA); brothers Gary Gardner (FL), and Randy Gardner (Julia) of CO; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sheila was blessed and honored to have been grandmother to Rachel Murphy, Jacob Murphy, Joshua Hargett, Rebecca Hargett, Josiah Hargett, Janalyn Rhein, Anna Keeshan, Cody Rhein, Sandra Gatsos, Thomas Reed III, Brent Shires, Stacey Montoya, Brian Murphy, Ben Murphy, Rebecca Murphy, Sarah Murphy, Amber Murphy and Chelsi Butler, in addition to having 19 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great grandchildren.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Kelly Prosser, her son Jack Prosser, Olivia, Julie and Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care.

Sheila’s Celebration of Life service will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Pikes Peak Church of Christ, 1402 West Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80904.

Sheila will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

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