Helen J. Murphy

Helen Joan (Heffernan) Murphy, of Heritage Village, Southbury, CT passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, after a brief illness at the age of 90, in Danbury, CT.

Helen affectionally known as Honey was born in New York, NY, on January 26, 1934, to John and Mary (O'Keefe) Rogers.

Helen graduated from Holy Trinity High School in Hackensack, NJ. Later in life, she went on to study Liberal Arts at Empire University SUNY, where she received an associate degree.

As a young widow, Helen raised her three children in Monroe, NY, and was employed with the State of New York in the Judicial Court system working as a Court Clerk in Family Court in Goshen, NY and retired as a Senior Court Clerk in Supreme Court in White Plains, NY.

She had an unquenchable thirst for learning and spent her time reading and researching topics of interest. She devoted herself to daily word games and Jeopardy. Anyone who knew Helen was amazed she was so brilliant and sharp. She made her family her priority. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed spending time with her best friend, Julia, and her family.

A resident of Southbury for the past 34 years, she enjoyed gardening, she volunteered for Regional Hospice and was a member of the Southbury Senior Center where she enjoyed chair yoga.

Helen was predeceased by her husband, James G. Murphy, and her son, James K. Murphy. She was also predeceased by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Ann and Mike Araneo, and Alice and Jack Heyler, as well as her nephew, Charles Araneo, and Bob Erath, a resident of Heritage Village and a close companion.

She is survived by her children: son Daniel Murphy (Kathleen) Denver, CO; daughter Ellen Murphy (Ken O'Connor), Naples, Florida, grandchildren: Matthew Roberts (Jordan) and Aileen Butler (Bryan); great grandchildren: Kylee, Matthew, Avery, James, Ryan Roberts, and Theo Butler; nephews and niece: Brian Heyler, Clark Heyler, Mary Araneo, Michael Araneo (Maryann), and their children, Alexandra, and Michaela.

An Interment Service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church Resurrection Garden, New City, NY on date and time in the future for immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Regional Hospice regionalhospicect.org or St. John Episcopal Church Resurrection Garden Memorial stjohnsnewcity.net both organizations Helen felt strongly about.

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