Dorothy F (McKeon) Murphy

Dorothy Frances (McKeon) Murphy passed away peacefully on Friday, February 19, 2021 at the age of 92.  Dorothy was born in the Bronx, NY in 1928 to James and Ethel (Murray) McKeon and primarily attended the Academy of Mount St. Ursula in the Bronx through high school.  She attended Cornell University in pursuit of a degree in chemistry, transferring to Hunter College, NY, after two years, earning a BA in French.  Dorothy held several positions in advertising and marketing, including as assistant to the Director of Advertising & Public Relations for French National Railroads in New York City.  She enrolled in Columbia University, Graduate School of Business and earned credits toward an MBA in advertising.  

Dorothy and Ralph Murphy, also from the Bronx, married in 1956.  They moved to Milford, CT in 1957 and started their family.  They settled in Torrington in 1959 and raised their four children.  

Dorothy went on to obtain her Realtor Brokers license, selling real estate in the Torrington area for nearly 35 years.  She also worked at Catholic Charities Torrington Family Service Center for fifteen years, retiring in 1995.  She volunteered with the St. Francis Mother’s Club and the Board of Education Services for the Blind for many years.  She served as a Girl Scout troop leader and on the board of Bridgeway, Inc.  

In retirement, Dorothy was able to travel to Ireland where she found and met extended family.  She also toured England, Wales, France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Morocco, and Egypt.  Dorothy was a tremendous artist and watercolorist, excellent seamstress and gardener and enjoyed spending time at the family lakeside cottage in Pennsylvania.  She took up long-distance walking and weight training with her dear friend, Fran Schaller.  Dorothy had a great appreciation and aptitude for languages and words, speaking French, Spanish and Italian.  She faithfully completed the Sunday New York Times Magazine crossword puzzle throughout most of her life.  

Dorothy leaves her loving family, Marianne (Thomas) Sedgwick, New Hartford; Susan Murphy, Woodbury; Lillie Murphy, Alexandria, VA and James (Johanne) Murphy, West Suffield; her grandchildren, Michael and Sergeant Jonathan Sedgwick, USMC and Catherine, Patrick and Kevin Murphy.  She also leaves her brother-in-law, Raymond Wilson, of Rhode Island, many nieces and nephews and her friend, Fran Schaller.  Ralph, Dorothy’s husband of 59 years, passed away in 2015 as did her sister, Evelyn Wilson.  

The family wishes to express much appreciation to Brandywine Living at Litchfield for providing life enriching support, enjoyment and many smiles over her last years.  Gratitude is also extended to Growing Hearts Caregivers for their close attention and compassion during her final weeks.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John Paul the Great Church, 160 Main Street, Torrington, CT on Friday, February 26, 2021 at 11AM followed by burial services at the New St. Francis Cemetery, 863 South Main Street, Torrington, CT.  All COVID protocols will be followed.  There are no calling or viewing hours.  The Mass will be available via livestream at www.johnpaulgreatparish.com Facebook page.  All are invited to view and comment on the guest book at www.phalenfuneral.com.  Donations are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and Foothills Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County.  

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