Obituary of Mary Adeline Murphy

MURPHY, Mary Adeline (Drumm) was born January 30, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from high school at Marywood Academy in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1953. She earned a Bachelor's degree in English and Art at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1957. She obtained a Master's in English Literature at the University of Detroit in 1961. Adeline and her dear husband, John Joseph (Joe) Murphy, shared the sacrament of marriage on June 24, 1961 (June 31 was unavailable for some reason) and their marriage was filled with the Lord's grace, a shared sense of the absurd, and love so abundant that it overflowed generously over everyone they met. Together with her husband, she led a large and wonderful Irish Catholic family: Laurie Murphy and Ed Manderfeld and their son, Paul Manderfeld; Patti and Mike Flint and their children, Katie, Megan, Bailey and Ryan; Mike and Eileen Murphy and their children, Winston and Theresa and their grandchildren, Will and Jack; Shelley and Jack Murphy and their children, Morgan, Casey and Sean; Addie and Kevin Hickey and their children, Justine and Tiernan; Annie and Doug Thornhill and their children, Hailey, Tyler and Lexie; Sheilah and Jerome Hebert and their children, Andy, Tommy, Sarah and Jackie; Bridgid Murphy and Justin Cassell; Margaret and Corey Schoenherr and their son, Dominic and their unborn baby. She considered so many others to be part of her family - Patti Bakke, Kathy Shannon, and their families, her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, her parents, cousins, Maggie and Sid Moore, Alice and Phil Osburn, Sheila Evans, David McCann and many others. She was predeceased by parents, Pauline and Gregory Drumm, her in-laws, Joseph H. and Laurette R. Murphy, her beloved cousin, Martha Shannon, her son-in-law, Don Manderfeld, her older brother, Tommy Drumm, and many others whom she will join with delight in her Heavenly home. She had a passion for high-heeled shoes, but hated all shopping other than the hardware store. She was a long time member of the Bay City Yacht Club and shared her love of sailing with her children, grandchildren and friends. She and Joe traveled to Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Portugal, Paris (which she hated), England, Germany, New Orleans, Washington DC and many other destinations, but her favorite place to be was home. Adeline was an artist, a writer, a teacher, a mother, a friend and a mentor. She was a room mother, a chauffeur, a spot remover, an art project consultant, a comforter to the afflicted and a discomforter to the affected. She filled her home and her children's homes with her beautiful art. She wrote reflections and homilies for Faith Publications. She and Joe sang together in the St. Stephen Choir. She wrote and edited numerous newsletters, term papers, scholarship applications and financial aid forms. She was the associate director of Abortion Alternatives (an organization that sought to show respect and reverence for pregnant woman and their unborn babies by providing practical and concrete assistance). She was a charter member of Mothers and Others for Peace. Adeline had a deep reverence for the "miraculous ordinary." She understood that Jesus entered the imperfect world in the midst of unplanned pregnancy, disrupted travel arrangements, and complicated relationships. The reality of Christian faith is reflected in every detail of the busy, messy, complicated world. Adeline's last message to her family was, "We can't realize just how much we care about each other; you realize your own life is important only insofar as it is important to the people you love." FUNERAL: A Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 1310 Malzahn. Rev. Fr. James G. Heller will officiate. Rite of Committal will follow in St. Andrew Cemetery. VISITATION: Friends are welcome to visit with the family at St. Stephen Catholic Church on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Vigil Service led by Pastoral Associate Sharon Wahl will take place at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday evening. Adeline will lie in state at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. MEMORIALS: Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Aquinas College. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the church or through www.deislerfuneralhome.com.