The Reverend Deacon Linda Estelle Murphy departed life peacefully on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at her home in Colonial Beach, VA, with her loving husband and sister by her side.

She was born on July 18, 1947, in Woburn, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Martha Redmond/Kirkhuff.  Linda is survived by her husband of 27 years, Cyrus B. Murphy, Jr, CDR, USN, Retired and their six children (and their families) including Angie Littleton (CA), Steve Littleton (CA), Judy Rawls-White (CA), Joe Murphy (WA), Amy Murphy (CA), and Steve Murphy (WA). She is also survived by her sister, Judith Redmond (VA) and her children Doug and Lauren, and Linda’s Dooley in-law family:  Tim (TX), Jerrie (TX), Heather (VA) and Chris (TX).  She was predeceased by her mother and her brother, Howard Redmond, Jr.

Linda’s childhood was in Salem, MA, where she enjoyed city parks, lake swimming, and horseback riding with her sister and brother.  Her family moved to California for her teenage years where she enjoyed folk music, singing, and Scottish Country Dancing. She graduated from Lodi California High School and Delta College (Stockton CA).  For most of her life Linda was a professional accountant and bookkeeper.  Her true ambition in life was in vocational ministries and Episcopal religious orders related to pastoral care of the poor, sick, and elderly.  Linda was active in many Church vestries and activities.  She was a licensed Chaplain working at NOVA Hospital Fairfax, VA and many nursing and assisted living homes in Alexandria and Springfield, VA.  On February 5, 2011, she was ordained a vocational Deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia from the first graduating class of the College of Deacons.  Linda was very active at the Diocese, Regional, and Parish levels with assignments to St. Christopher’s Springfield, VA, Immanuel Church on the Hill Alexandria, VA, and St. Peter’s Oak Grove, VA.  Linda will always be remembered as a very loving, caring, and compassionate minister of faith.

Linda had numerous hobbies.  State-side, local, and international travels with husband were at the top of her list.  She also was an avid reader and loved antiquing, sewing, art work, and structural designing.  She and Cyrus loved rescuing pets including many dogs (including five greyhounds), two ferrets, and an iguana during their marriage.  Their last two dogs Lizzie (Texas Walker Hound Dog) and Maggie (Black Lab) remain with Cyrus.  Linda also enjoyed Navy life accompanying her husband to Navy functions and ceremonies.

The Murphy family expresses heart-felt thanks and appreciation to all the family, friends, and parish congregations who have prayed and supported Linda and her husband and sister through this long journey.  We want to especially acknowledge Linda’s Care Givers, Janice, Anne, Fonda, and Donna for their love and long hours supporting Linda and Cyrus over the many years.  Also, a very special thanks to Linda’s very compassionate and responsive GENTIVA Hospice Team including Jessica, Renee, Allison, Abbi, Carolyn, Ella, Sophia, Bethany, Bettina, and Malia.

A Celebration of Life will be held 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 in St. James Episcopal Church, Montross.  Interment will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Oak Grove.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Cox RD, #130, Glen Allen, VA 23060.