Sister Marietta Murphy, IHM, age 100, died Tuesday, Jan. 21, surrounded by her IHM family.
Mary Cecilia Agnes Murphy was born Nov. 11, 1924, to parents William and Mary (Keating) Murphy of Buffalo, New York. William, who emigrated from England as a young child and Mary met in St. Brigid Grade School, Buffalo. When her parents died in 1938 and 1939, young Mary moved to live with an aunt in Detroit. She attended St. Monica School, Buffalo and graduated from St. Catherine High School, Detroit, where she had met the IHM Sisters. One year later, Mary entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Monroe) and received the religious name Sister Marietta.
Sister Marietta began a ministry of education with early assignments at St. Joseph, Dexter, Hall of the Divine Child, Monroe, St. Gregory, Detroit and five years at St. Peter Claver, Mobile, Alabama. In 1966, she earned a master’s degree in special education from Wayne State University and began as principal of Holy Name Catholic School, Birmingham. Sister Marietta enjoyed the years of administration and students until 1975. She moved on to high school education at Immaculate Heart of Mary, an IHM-sponsored school in Westchester, Illinois. Many of her IHM students would later join the IHM community.
In 1980, Sister Marietta accepted a position at the University of Notre Dame as Dean of Residence and, later, Residence Director. Sister’s tenure at Notre Dame was full and gratifying, with many years involved in Campus Ministry, Resident Director and supporting fundraising efforts. After 15 years of service, Sister Marietta returned to the Motherhouse and led fundraising efforts for the IHM community.
In 2000, Sister Marietta retired from her role in development but continued her volunteer efforts as a resident. In later years, her health required more attention, and she was grateful to receive all care at the IHM Motherhouse. In the Fall of 2024, the IHM community, family, and friends celebrated her 100th birthday with a special liturgy, reception and greetings from the Mayor of Monroe, Governor of Michigan and former United States President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama.
Sister Marietta is survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and her IHM Sisters in the community. Her siblings Helen Meyer, John J. Murphy, and William A. Murphy preceded her in death.
Read Sister Marietta’s Remembering.