CHATAWA – Sister Mary Murphy, SSND, died on the feast of St. Joseph, March 19, at St. Mary of the Pines Retreat Center where she had lived since 1993. Sister Murphy was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on June  22, 1928.

She professed her first vows in 1950. She was a home-economics teacher and guidance counselor for about 25 years at secondary schools in New Orleans and Texas. She was principal and taught nutrition and child care and development at St. Vincent Home for unwed mothers in New Orleans. She added social work to her skills at St. Vincent and at a Catholic Charities home for unwed mothers in Jackson.

In New Orleans she also managed the Jesuit sponsored Boys Hope Program for youth from dysfunctional familes. At St. Mary of the Pines she worked as director of food services and helped with sewing, cooking, driving and gardening. She is survived by her brother John and his wife Marigene, nieces and nephews.

Father Brian Kaskie celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial on March 24. She was interred in the Chatawa Cemetery.