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Mary Lucille (Hegarty) Murphy, age 75, was born in Cliffwood, New Jersey, and died at home on December 28, 2010, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mary grew up in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in economics. At her older brother's prompting, she joined the United States Air Force and, as a commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, was among the first groups of non-medical female officers: her picture was used in recruitment and promotional materials. Mary was sent to Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque and was honorably discharged when she married widower and fellow serviceman Thomas Murphy and instantly became a mother to two-year-old Colleen. Mary was a stay-at-home mom for several years, and then went back to school, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education from Southeastern State College in Durant, Oklahoma, as did Tom. The family moved to Tohatchi and then Gallup, New Mexico, where Mary taught hundreds of students in 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. She retired from Stagecoach Elementary School in Gallup in 1994 and moved to Albuquerque. Voracious reader that she was, Mary spent a lot of time at the library, and was especially fond of science fiction, history, and poetry. She kept her mind sharp doing the New York Times crossword puzzle, playing Scrabble, and watching Jeopardy. She loved chocolate, wine, and coffee ice cream! More than anything, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great - grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Tom; her son Stephen; and her sister Barbara Hegarty Smart. Mary is survived by her seven children: Colleen Tarket (Bill), John (Vicki), Tom (Melinda), Jennifer Murphy-Dye (Brian), Mary Teresa Dyer (Ron), Vincent (Laurajean), and Rosalie Bergamo (Terry); She is also survived by 20 grandchildren: Milt, Jeremy (Chelsea), Sean, Greg (Melissa), Michelle (Ray), Christopher, Phillip, Vanessa, Kevin, Stephen, Laura, Lauren (Randal), Brendan, Connor, Claire, Angela (Joel), Vincent, Rachel (Justin), Michael, and Mia; and eight great-grandchildren: Carson, Logan, Addison, Colin, Keira, Mya, Scott, and Alex; Mary is also survived by brothers, Michael Hegarty of Massachusetts, Charles Hegarty of St. Johnsbury, Vermont; and sister Miriam Hanlon-Weston (Bill) of Bremerton, Washington. A celebration of Mary's life will be held on January 15, 2011 at 6:00 p.m., at Risen Savior Catholic Community, 7701 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, followed by a reception at the family home. You can honor Mary by donating your time, talent, and treasure to your local school or library.
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