Marilyn Murphy

Marilyn Murphy crafted a busy North Jersey life from three demanding careers: registered nurse, newspaper photographer and mother of seven.

The Clifton native died March 26 of complications following heart valve surgery, said the oldest of her children, Leo Murphy. She was 76.

The former Marilyn Whitcomb studied at St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing and started out in the emergency room of the Paterson hospital. Early on she worked in various capacities in the field, including home care nurse and staff nurse at a summer camp for disabled children.

After marrying photographer Art Murphy, Ms.cq Murphy gave birth to their seven children, including a set of twins, in 8ﾤcq years.

The family's move from Fair Lawn to a Civil War-era home on Macopin Road in West Milford led to a new career for Ms. Murphy. In 1970 she took a job as a photographer for the weekly West Milford Argus.

Working locally as a photographer  she had an interest in picture-taking even before meeting Art Murphy  allowed Ms. Murphy to be there for her kids, her son said.

Ms. Murphy made a name in an era when few women toiled in photojournalism. She won awards from the New Jersey Press Association and rose to photo editor of Wayne-based Today Newspapers, which published the West Milford Argus and other weeklies in Passaic County. (The group's newspapers now are part of North Jersey Media Group, parent company of The Record and Herald News.)

Nancy Rubenstein was a top editor at the weeklies when Ms. Murphy was running the photo staff.

"Marilyn saw the entire picture beyond the scope of her lens and had an uncanny ability to identify with and engage the person she was shooting," Rubenstein said.

"Once she was sent to a church to photograph the blessing of the animals. The priest was about to bless this dachshund, and Marilyn waited for the precise moment where she could produce the shot everyone would remember  the dachshund bowing its head, with the priest's hands clasped over its head. I have that picture hanging in my den."

After 20 years in newspapers, Ms. Murphy returned to her original career. She worked as a case manager at the senior care center at St. Mary's Hospital in Passaic. She retired in 2002.

"She enjoyed both careers immensely and was very good at both," son Leo said. "But I think she would have said the newspaper business kept her mind more active  she liked the frenetic activity."

Ms. Murphy and Art Murphy  who had a photography business specializing in actors' head shots  divorced in 1977 but remained friends.

Upon retiring to Roanoke, Va., Ms. Murphy continued to make photographs and set up an art studio. She painted in oil and watercolor.

She is survived by her children, Leo Murphy of Sunnyvale, Calif., Michael Murphy of Rowlesburg, W.Va., David Murphy of Roanoke, Va., Kathleen Murphy of West Lake, Ohio, Mary Noguchi of Wayne, Margaret Murphy of West Orange and John Murphy of Milford, Pa.; a sister,; 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her former husband died last May.

Arrangements were by Lotz Funeral Home, Roanoke. Ms. Murphy's ashes were interred in Salem, Va.

E-mail: levin@northjersey.com