Claudia Murphy

Claudia Marie Murphy passed away at her Des Moines home on Sunday, October 15, surrounded by her family. Her body will be laid to rest in a private burial at Glendale Cemetery on October 18th. A celebration of life will be planned for a later date.
Claudia was born in Whitefish, Montana on August 16, 1947, to Claude ("Chuck") and Edith Murphy. She graduated from high school in Great Falls, Montana and married Hank Ryan in Great Falls in 1969. They later divorced. She earned college credits at Drake University in Des Moines as an adult in pursuit of her career. Claudia dedicated 40+ years of her career to the National HeadStart Organization, passionately supporting early childhood development and education. Retiring in the Spring of 2023, Claudia fondly remembered the many colleagues and parent advocates she collaborated with over the years.
She married Rich Mintz on January 2, 1998 and they enjoyed twenty-five years of love and companionship. She was immensely proud of and devoted to her daughters and grandsons. She spent forty years practicing Jazzercise and being part of the local Jazzercise community, which she loved. Claudia had an elegant sense of style. She was kind, conscientious, classy, wise, humble, supportive to all, patient, fun, generous, and always, always gracious.
Claudia found the Baha'i Faith as a young adult and was an active, dedicated believer the rest of her life. She served on the Local Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'is of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Moline, Illinois; and Des Moines, Iowa. She was very active with the interfaith community in Des Moines.
Preceding Claudia in death were her parents. She is survived by her husband Rich Mintz, daughters Monique Frink (Ian Frink) of Moline, Illinois, Kristina Farlow (Kurt Farlow) of Des Moines, and her grandsons, Connor Frink and Ronan Farlow. Also surviving are Claudia's sister Patricia Cianflone (Frank Cianflone) and Patricia's son Kyle Cianflone of Missoula, Montana.
Memorial gifts can be directed to the HeadStart organization or UNICEF. Baha'is might contribute to any of the Baha'i funds in Claudia's memory. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.IlesCares.com.
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