Clarice Ann Murphy

September 8, 1928-November 27, 2013

Clarice Murphy of Gardena went to her eternal reward at the age of 85 due to heart failure brought on by complications of Parkinson's Disease. She was surrounded at the time by her loving husband (B. Patrick Murphy) of 64 years, her 14 children and their spouses, most of her grandchildren, her older brother, and several close friends. The amount of love and faith that enveloped her was extraordinary.

Clarice Ann (Shimer) Murphy was born in Los Angeles and was the 3rd of 7 children of Joseph and Elsie Shimer. She graduated from Bishop Conaty High School in 1946. In 1949 she married Pat whom she met at the St. Michael's Young People's Club at Manchester and Vermont. They raised all 14 of their children in Gardena, and were active members of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church where all of their children attended elementary school. Clarice was passionate about God and family.

She was a fun-loving lady who always kept herself in good shape. She and her husband loved to dance. Even at age 70 she was known to do cartwheels and play basketball with her grandchildren. "Mom Murphy" as she was known to all always made everyone feel loved and welcome in her home. She and Pat were blessed with many wonderful friends.

Clarice was inspired by the Blessed Mother, on whose Birth Day she was born, and encouraged everyone around her to treat each other as Jesus would. Her legacy of love is carried on by her 14 children: Mary, Elaine, Tony, Terrie, Pat, Mike, Loretta, Tim, Martha, Sheila, Karen, Annie, Paul and Danny, her 40 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

A Rosary will be held on Thursday, December 5 at Lighthouse Mortuary (1016 W. 164th St. in Gardena) at 7pm. A Mass in celebration of her life will be held on Friday, December 6 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church (1050 W. 163rd St., Gardena) at 4pm with a reception to follow in the Church Hall. Interment will be Saturday, June 7 at Holy Cross Cemetery (5835 W. Slauson Ave. Culver City) at 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her honor to your favorite charity or St. Anthony's School.