Rose C. Murdy

Rosemarie Murdy passed away peacefully at home on June 8th, wrapped in love. Over the last year, she fought with unimaginable strength and determination to reclaim her life—because that’s who she was. A fighter. A force.

But how do you sum up someone like Mom in just a few words?

She was a woman of incredible contrasts—soft yet unbreakable, kind yet fierce, humble yet unforgettable. She never backed down from what she believed in, and she never turned away someone in need. If she couldn’t fix it herself, she’d move mountains to find someone who could. She had a way of showing up, always—quietly, reliably, lovingly.

If you met her, you felt her. Her warmth, her humor, her strength. You remembered her.

She was the kind of mother we would choose over and over again—across lifetimes. She didn’t just tell us how to be strong or kind or brave—she showed us, every single day. She raised us to stand on our own, even though we always knew we could fall back into her arms. She taught us that love is not just a feeling—it’s an action, a commitment, a legacy.

She gave her heart not only to her family, but to her community. As the first female sacristan at St. Agnes Church, she served for over 40 years with quiet pride. She also worked as a home health aide, caring for others with the same tenderness she gave to us. And she still found time to volunteer—at soup kitchens, in hospice care, with Meals on Wheels. Her life was a masterclass in selflessness.

She was, and always will be, the soul of our family. Our anchor. Our safe place.

Thank you, Mom—for your joy, your laughter, your sacrifices, your love. You have shaped who we are in ways we’re still discovering. And though our hearts are heavy with grief, we are so proud to be yours.

“Live fully, love deeply, chase happiness, and carry her soul in all that you do.

And when the heartache feels too heavy to hold, talk to her…

she’s listening.

And she is so very proud of the person you are.”