Florence Haggerty Murphy (1918-2007)

Condolences to the Murphy family on the loss of a truly remarkable woman.

Florence was of good Irish stock, born up in New York to Michael Francis Haggerty and the former Ann O'Keefe. They raised her and four siblings in Brooklyn.

She obtained a nursing diploma at Kings County Hospital in New York, and married at the end of World War II to a Florida Cracker by the name of George Davis Murphy.

The Murphys settled in George's hometown of Arcadia, where Florence worked at the General Hospital and with Dr. C.H. Kirkpatrick.

They later relocated to Winter Park, which is how they crossed paths with my family. In a good way.

George was a resident in the first ALF where my dad lived after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

So, Florence and her extended family could really identify with our situation.

Anyway, we take solace that Florence lived her 88 years to the fullest. She was always the life of the party, and is asking that NO ONE wear black to her funeral services tomorrow at St. Margaret Mary's in Winter Park or at the "celebration of life" to be held at Hot Olive's in Hannibal Square.

In addition to George, she is survived by four children Johnny, Jimmy, Joanna, and Gen; five grandchildren Christian, Allison, Nick, Jeremiah, and Sharon; five great-grandchildren Jared, Veronica, Kelsey, Will, and Aidan; and one "granddog" Miko!