Marlene T. Murphy

Margaret Marlene Murphy was born on October 30th, 1932 in Elkins, WV and departed March 22nd, 2024 in Virginia Beach, VA after 91 full years, surrounded by family.
Marlene (born Thompson), the oldest daughter of three, grew up in Elkins before graduating high school and attending West Virginia University. She enjoyed university life and her studies, but was drawn to the city, and after two years took a position in Accounting working for the Department of the Navy in Washington, D.C. There she met a kind, quiet draftsman named Richard J. Murphy. They attended the Army vs. Navy game as their first date. Richard and Marlene married in 1953 and would go on to build a beautiful life together.
Their five children were born as they navigated many moves and deployments- from Washington D.C. to Albuquerque, NM, San Jose, CA, and lastly Virginia Beach, VA where they resided together for 42 years. They drove cross country as a family twice, and had many adventures along the way.
Marlene was supportive, smart, caring, thoughtful, and capable. Richard deployed for months at a time, traveling to Guam, Alaska, Japan and Russia, which left Marlene primarily responsible for raising their children. When her youngest, Val, was born, she had a neighbor babysit the other four and negotiated with the hospital to let her out early.
She was an avid reader, especially of the daily newspaper, and valued education. She worked as a substitute teacher for Virginia Beach City Public Schools for 15 years. Marlene spent her retirement helping with her grandchildren, and attended countless sporting events and school concerts.
She was famous for trying to feed anyone who came over, especially her grandchildren, and was always giving food to take for later. She loved children of all ages, and was known for stopping in her tracks in public to meet babies. Marlene was always smiling and shared her joy with others, yet also had a self-deprecating sense of humor, constantly joking that she was "being lazy" in her later years.
She was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church and was a progressive Catholic. She supported the church and many causes she cared about. She will be remembered for her kindness, dependability, caring nature and devotion to her family and friends. She was an excellent, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and neighbor and will be deeply missed.
Mrs. Murphy was the daughter of the late Maynard and Irene Thompson and is survived by two daughters, Valerie Simerson and Debra Murphy-Darr of Virginia Beach, three sons, Richard B. Murphy and his wife, Patricia of Williamsburg, VA, Craig Murphy and his wife, Debbie of Boynton Beach, FL and Mike Murphy and his wife, Peggy of Marfa, TX, 11 grandchildren- Lauren, Sean (Heidi), Dick (Olivia), and Kyle (Adriana) Murphy, Melissa (Justin) Moore, Morgan (Patrick Wagner) and Makenzi Darr, Jessica Murphy (Ben Bruker), and Sydney, Murphy (Emma) and Lindsey Simerson; and nine great grandchildren.
Marlene was preceded in death by her beloved son-in-law, William Mark Simerson, and her loving husband of 53 years, Richard J. Murphy.
The family would like to thank Adriana with Bliss In Home Healthcare, as well as caregivers Jennifer and Filomena for their love and care for Marlene. The family would additionally like to thank the staff at Our Lady of Perpetual Help for their kind care during her stay there.
A memorial service will be held at 3pm on Saturday, April 13th at Altmeyer Funeral Home-Maestas Chapel, 1801 Baltic Ave. in Virginia Beach. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Princess Anne Memorial Park.
Condolences may be offered for Marlene below.