Obituary of Helen Mae Murphy

Helen passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, at Innisfree House, Kitchener on Sunday, October 14, 2018, at the age of 95.

Helen was born on July 8, 1923 in Onoway, Alberta to parents Robert Desmond Stokes and Ethel May Hall and was raised and educated in Edmonton.  She was a Morse operator for the Canadian National Railway and the Canadian Pacific Railway and at one time was the only female Morse operator in Western Canada.  Helen traveled to many destinations for her work and she loved every minute of it.  She enjoyed golf, speed skating and tennis in her youth, and, later in life, cherished her time with her grandchildren and keeping up with their activities and accomplishments.  Helen’s faith was at the center of her life.  She was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for over 25 years and a member of the CWL for over 60 years. 

Beloved wife of the late Arthur Murphy (2012).  Loving mother of John and his wife Kelly.  Grandmother (“Lala”) of Ella, Ava, Finn, Eden and Pippa.  Helen is also survived by her loving sister and best friend Mary Graham of Lethbridge, Alberta and her sister-in-law Myrna Stokes of High River, Alberta.  She will be missed by her many nieces and nephews especially Susan Graham, Kathleen Stokes and Mariclare Markopoulos.

Predeceased by her sister Theresa Zolkivski and her brother Robert (Bob) Stokes. 

Friends are invited to share their memories of Helen with her family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Thursday, October 18, 2018 from 2 – 5 p.m. with the Prayer Vigil at 4:45 p.m.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anne’s RC Church, 268 East Ave., Kitchener on Friday, October 19, 2018 at 10 a.m. with Rev. John Pirt as Celebrant.  Interment will immediately follow the mass at Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo.  A reception will follow in the parish hall.

Condolences for the family and memorial donations to the Comboni Missionaries Organization or the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Anne Parish may be arranged by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.

A special thank you is extended to all of Helen’s caregivers at the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre and the staff and volunteers at Innisfree Hospice.