Eileen Murphy Roberts

1924 - 2022

Eileen Murphy (Butler) Roberts died peacefully, surrounded by her family and the wonderful care team at the Rock Creek House in Kerrville, Texas on June 17, 2022. She was 97 years old. Born July 8, 1924, to Francis and Mary Ann (McGlynn) Murphy in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Eileen was their youngest daughter and the fifth of seven children. After high school she attended Cambridge City Hospital School of Nursing. She graduated in 1948 as a Registered Nurse and joined the US Navy, serving in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Pensacola, Florida. Eileen was a member of The Military Order of the World Wars. Eileen loved travel, having visited many WestPac ports of call as a Navy wife and traveling internationally with her daughters and close friends. She and her husband Cal traveled throughout the US in their RV, including two fishing trips to Alaska when each was in their 80's! She also loved being part of the Navy Family and was a fervent, lifelong fan of all Navy sports, especially football, where she and Cal were regulars in the 49er seating section for many years. She was generous with her hospitality and loved always having a spare bed and enough food for the occasional Midshipman or Naval Aviator who showed up at her door. Eileen is survived by her husband, Captain Calvin W. Roberts, USN (Retired) '49, of Kerrville, Texas, her daughter, Gayle Butler and a son, Commander Dempsey Butler, III, USN (Ret.) '77, daughter-in-law, Jeanne Butler all of Little Rock, Arkansas, two grandchildren, Karis (Nathan Havens) of Little Rock, Arkansas and Dempsey (Johanna) Butler, IV, of Portland, Oregon and two great grandchildren, Reese Eileen Havens & Annie Claire Havens. She was predeceased by her daughter, Trudy Butler Start, of Kirkland, Washington. A Celebration of Life Gathering for Eileen was hosted by her friends and neighbors in Vicksburg Village on July 10, 2022. A Rite of Committal Service is scheduled for 14:00 on September 29, 2022 at the US Naval Academy Columbarium followed by a reception at the Naval Academy Club. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.