BANGOR – Marjorie R. Murphy, 45, died peacefully Sept. 10, 2007, at her mother’s home. She was born Aug. 4, 1962, in Freeport, N.Y., the daughter of Neil Murphy and Amelia Murphy. Marjorie loved the outdoors and spent many summers at Camp Natarswi, where she completed the Junior Maine Guide program. After she was diagnosed with schizophrenia, she became an advocate for people with serious mental illness. She participated in a twin study on schizophrenia at NIH. She was featured in the Frontline documentary “Broken Minds” and a public service announcement for the Maine Alliance for the mentally ill. She lived an active and full life. She did the things she loved. Marjorie was in the Community Health and Counseling Services’ chorus, on the Together Place Housing board, participated in Special Olympics as an athlete and a coach. She enjoyed line dancing, and was an active member of Encore. Marjorie will be remembered by those she advocated for and with, as a friend who listened, a leader and someone who was able to deal effectively with difficult challenges. She is survived by her father, Neil Murphy; her mother, Amelia “Amy” Murphy; her five brothers and sisters, Michael Murphy and his wife, Jennifer, twin sister, Sharon Murphy and Mark Anderson, Nancy Murphy and J.P. Twarog, Paul Murphy and his wife, Fengqing, Susan and her husband, Sam Jones. She will be missed by her special friend, August “Augie” Desiervo; her aunt, Clare Fazio; nieces and nephew, Rose, Caitlin and Robin Murphy, William and Virginia Jones; and numerous cousins. Friends may call 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, with Pastor Artie Dean, of Bible Baptist Church of Bangor, officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Orono. A memorial Mass will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at Newman Center, College Ave., Orono. Donations to Encore can be made in her memory to Caring Connections, Supplemental Fund, Bangor Y, 17 Second St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
MARJORIE R. MURPHY
