Eileen M. Murphy, 87, the mother of Cook County Judge Michael Murphy and Cook County Public Guardian Patrick Murphy, died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease Thursday, June 20, in her Beverly home.
The eight children of Mrs. Murphy, a first-generation Irish-American, credit her with being the driving force in their lives. Her husband, Arthur J. Murphy, worked in the stockyards. She took jobs as a telephone operator and a factory worker during World War II to help make ends meet.
But her most important concern was raising her children, Patrick Murphy said. Although the Murphys were a family of modest means, Mrs. Murphy insisted that all her children go to college and consider pursuing advanced degrees.
All of her children received bachelor’s degrees, and seven went on to pursue advanced education.
“She was a powerful and a motivating influence on all of us and a constant presence in our lives,” Patrick Murphy said.
Mrs. Murphy also was a longtime volunteer at Haymarket Center, an organization that works with people recovering from substance abuse.
Mrs. Murphy also is survived by three other sons, Arthur, John and Thomas; two daughters, Mary Erickson and Eileen Donnersberger; 28 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. Monday in Donnellan Funeral Home, 10525 S. Western Ave., Chicago. A funeral mass will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Barnabas Church, 10134 S. Longwood Drive, Chicago.
