Adele Ott Murphy

Adele Ott Murphy
Adele Ott Murphy, 93, registered nurse, social activist and World War II veteran, died July 11 in Los Angeles. The Allentown natives keep smiling motto inspired many. She was the daughter of the late Harold J. and Mabel V. (Gaumer) Ott. Born November 16, 1914, she was a 1932 graduate of Allentown High School. She was a 1935 nursing graduate of St. Barnabas Hospital. A Navy nurse, she cared for Marines at Pearl Harbor, rising to lieutenant junior grade rank. She returned to Allentown to marry George C. Murphy, settling in Macungie. She was employed as nurse supervisor at Allentown Hospital before working as a college nurse at Kutztown University. She was a Red Cross nurse for 60 years. At 58, Murphy received a bachelors degree from East Stroudsburg State College. Widowed in 1973, she moved to Santa Monica to be with their daughter, Lois, soon representing the local Gray Panthers chapter at their national convention, even roller skating on Venice Beach to support the passage of the 1980 era. Her community efforts earned her the Red Cross Humanitarian Award, and the Santa Monica Mayors Commendation from the city. Nationally, she promoted senior rights on Woman to Woman and 20/20 with Milton Berle. She was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 123. She was active at Grace Lutheran Church, Macungie, and First United Methodist Church, Santa Monica. Survivor: Her daughter, Lois A. Murphy. Services: memorial, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 4, 2008 in St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, Allentown. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 145447, Cincinnati, OH.