Mary Susan Murphy

Vallejo - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mary Susan (Pursley) Murphy on February 1, 2025, in Vallejo, California, a place she loved and where she spent most of her adult life. She was 69 years of age. She is survived by her three siblings: Doug (Janet) Pursley, Springfield, MO; Richard (Vicki) Pursley, Okemos, MI; and Julie Pursley, Land O Lakes, FL. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and her beloved Chihuahua, Coco.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Glen and Ruth (Waddell) Pursley, as well as first cousins Mark Harper, Mike Ewing, and Diane (Pursley) McDowell.

Mary Susan was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on January 25, 1956. She spent the first four years of her life hanging out with her two ornery brothers, playing around the house, and tagging along to Razorback football games.

In 1960, she and her family moved to Willard, Missouri, and later to a dairy farm just north of Willard. She enjoyed living on the farm and developed a true love for animals. She attended the Willard Public School System from first through seventh grade. In 1969, her family moved to Springfield, Missouri, where she attended Springfield Public Schools, graduating from Kickapoo High School in 1974.

Mary attended the University of Arkansas and later graduated from the Burge School of Nursing (now Cox College, Springfield, Missouri) in 1979. She had a long nursing career and was a dedicated registered nurse. She was a fierce advocate for all of her patients.

She was a humanitarian and animal lover. Her love of animals is exemplified by the sheer number of pets she cared for over the years including Mo, her much-loved Chihuahua that died a few months before Mary.

Mary had a number of interests, including gardening, motorcycle riding, and spending time near the Pacific Ocean. She truly cared about people and treasured her relationships with friends and family. In the words of Tom Petty, "You belong among the wildflowers. You belong somewhere you feel free."

A private service will be held at a later date. Donations in her memory can be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri, 3161 W. Norton Road, Springfield, MO 65803.