Anne Halbeisen Murphy

Written for Meme by her grandkids: Max, Ries, Maitlyn, Melanie, Megan, and Mia
Few people in this world could make you feel as loved as Anne Murphy knew how to. And she did so effortlessly.
Anne was unapologetically herself. She knew who she was, lived every day the way she wanted to, and expressed her love unconditionally. From the time we were young, she was always in our corner - encouraging, celebrating, and supporting us, no matter what. Nothing was ever too small to be proud of. To be with her was to feel seen, heard, and deeply loved. Her love was easy to feel, and she herself was easy to love.
There was a purity in the way Meme loved; it came from a place of genuine appreciation for people exactly as they were. Her love wasn't tied to any traditional marker of success - it was simple, genuine, and unwavering. She accepted others wholeheartedly. To be seen, known, and loved in this way is one of the most amazing feelings in the world.
Meme and Buz were always rocks - the kind of people you always want in the room with you wherever you go. They complemented each other so naturally and showed us what true love and friendship look like. They were always evolving, embracing change while remaining grounded in who they were.
Anne was one of four sisters - Trudy leading the way, followed by Anne, Mary, and Rita. As the middle child, Anne was the natural pot-stirrer; bold, stubborn, and strong-headed in the best of ways.
She raised three incredible kids - Mark, Scott, and Kristin - who each live out different versions of her style every day. At their core, they embody her way of life: be honest, be humble, have fun, and don't take life too seriously.
Anne could talk about anything. No topic was off limits. She approached conversations with honesty and wit, often surprising those around her. She joked freely, even about difficult subjects. She had an effortless ability to form connections - with strangers or friends. Whether she was in Haddonfield, St. Petersburg, or traveling the world, she makes community. Her energy was magnetic, drawing people in wherever she went.
And of course, we all knew the fun of pushing her buttons "Oh, you're crazy," we'd all tease. She hated being called crazy more than anything, which, of course, only made us say it more. Buz loved to tease her too, never missing a chance to make her laugh or roll her eyes. She sparked happiness - all of our happiness. She showed us how easy life can feel when you surround yourself with joy and don't let things get to you.
Anne started every party and taught us how to make a proper margarita: 1/3, 1/3, 1/3. She believed that there was no such thing as too much salt, whether on the rim of a margarita glass or on a pretzel dipped in honey mustard. And don't forget all the ketchup beside her plate of eggs or with her freshly baked pigs in a blanket. Food was one of her love languages and we all have our specific memories associated with a recipe.
Her grandkids constantly aspire to be like her - to be as bold, as loving, as stubborn, and as truthful as she was. If we are fortunate enough to find even a fraction of what Meme and Buz shared together, we will know we've found something truly rare. They are, and will always be, the blueprint.
We'll miss her in the big ways - the space she filled in our lives - and in the little ways, too, when we catch ourselves doing things the way she did. She is woven into the fabric of who we are. She will stay with us forever, in every memory and every moment.