Dorothy Mae Murphy

Dorothy (Dottie) was born on May 3rd, 1921 in Waukegan, Illinois, to Mary Julia Brockway and Gustav Moos. When Dottie was four years old, her family moved to Marshalltown, Iowa. She attended Iowa State Teachers College and received her teacher’s certificate in 1943. After a few years of teaching Dottie returned to teach at the elementary school she attended when she was 6.

Dottie married in 1950 and had 3 children which she had longed for since she was young. In 1963 her youngest daughter, Melissa, wanted to go to school like her older siblings. So, Dottie opened a pre-school in her home in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Two years later the family moved to Houston. Her love for children led her to open a private pre-school and kindergarten. It soon expanded to two schools with over 200 students. She directed Seeds of Learning for 31 years and retired at the age of 78. No slowing down for her; she continued to enjoy traveling the world and visited Africa, Switzerland, New Zealand, England and Paris.

Her true treasure was her family with whom she enjoyed spending time, especially her grandchildren. Dottie was a strikingly beautiful woman with great style. Everyone would always notice the flower she wore in her hair. It was her signature look.

Dottie was preceded in death by her father, sister Eleanor Brewster, and mother Mary at 102, from whom she got her longevity. She leaves behind three children; daughter Maridean Hammers and her husband Norris of Buda, Texas, son Scott Murphy and his wife Linda of Ruxton, Maryland, and daughter Melissa Swanson and her husband John of Rosharon, Texas. Other surviving family members are her sister, Barbie Meszaros, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and many friends she made during her hundred years of life.

Dottie was a devoted Mother, Grandmother, and friend, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

The Murphy family would like to give special thanks to Daisy Weesner for her friendship and support to Dottie. Also a big thank you to the staff of Brookdale-Sugarland and TruCare Hospice who took great care of her in her final years and days of her life.

A Celebration of Life

There will be a Celebration of Life held in the Spring at Melissa’s ranch under the Very Big and Beautiful Oak Tree. The exact date will be announced in due course. In lieu of flowers, per Dottie’s request, the family requests donations be made in Dorothy’s name to: Happy Hill Farm, 3846 TX-144, Granbury, TX 76048.