Carol (Gallagher) Murphy

Carol (Gallagher) Murphy, 84, of Dumont, NJ (November 19, 1938 - March 13, 2023) was a loving mother and grandmother, who shared her love of playing the bagpipes by teaching others to play. She loved to dance and was a talented artist. Carol was born in Sterling Place, Brooklyn, N.Y. to parents James and Catherine (Maguire) Gallagher and had three sisters, Monica (Mona) Cassidy (deceased), Kathleen (Kitty) Murphy, and Geraldine (Geri) Kulbacki. Carol received a scholarship to Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School in L.I.C. for Math and Science after which she attended the School of Visual Arts in NYC at night. Carol was predeceased by her husband, John (Jack) Murphy. She is survived by her 4 children and 5 grandchildren, Peter Murphy, Neil (Karen) Murphy and their son Kyle, Maura Beck and her daughters Cassandra, Jacqueline and Samantha, and Teresa Fitzmayer and her daughter Sierra. In 1962, Carol met and married John (Jack) Murphy, who was a drummer in her father's band, the Glenaine Pipe Band. After living in Pomona, NY for 2 1/2 years, Carol and Jack settled in Dumont, NJ after the birth of their first son, Peter. She loved to talk about her time working for Sabena Airlines who gifted her and her parents two trips to Ireland for free. She went on to work at the Dumont Board of Education for over 20 years. Carol was also a member of the PTA, and co-leader of a Girl Scout troop for several years. Carol sewed some of her own clothes as well as her children's. She also sewed beautiful Halloween costumes for her grandchildren and we painted pumpkins together. Learning how to sew was part of our childhood. Carol had a generous heart and opened the doors to her home for the neighborhood children to come and create art and paint. Baking and cooking was a family affair and she loved to teach her children and grandchildren how to whip up her favorite recipes. Carol was proud of rejoining a pipe band (Tyrone County Pipe Band) at the age of 62 and played with her husband Jack at many private events for years, including their own 50th wedding anniversary when she was 74. There was always music being played in our home.

There will be a small service for immediate family and in late spring there will be a Celebration of Life (date TBD). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the aides and caregivers who took such good care of Carol. Please send donations to The Residence at Park Ridge, C/O Carol Murphy, 124 Noyes Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656. Arrangements by Robert Spearing Funeral Home, Inc., Park Ridge, NJ.