Madeleine Murphy "Lynn" Wheeler

1944 - 2024

WHEELER, Madeleine "Lynn" Murphy, 80, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away from pancreatic cancer on February 24, 2024. She was surrounded by family and friends. Lynn was born to Paul Albert Murphy and Madeleine English Murphy on February 22, 1944 in Richmond, Virginia. She graduated from St. Catherine's School in Richmond and attended Hollins University.

Lynn loved her adopted hometown of Charlotte and she wanted to make a difference. In the mid-80s, she served on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission for four years as Vice-Chairman of the Commission and Chairman of the Zoning Committee. In 1989, she was elected to the Charlotte City Council. Lynn would serve 14 years and become one of the most influential individuals in the city's history to sit on the Council. She was famously plugged in, constantly working the phones, and always seeking ways to propel the city forward. "The city is her district," her billboard famously said. She lived to that promise. In her heyday, Lynn led the fight to build an arena in Uptown Charlotte. When voters rejected a referendum to raise taxes and build the arena and other projects, she put forward a new plan to build it with hotel-motel taxes instead of taxing residents. Her conviction to do what was best for Charlotte ended her political career. What is now called the Spectrum Center opened in 2005. The arena attracted an NBA franchise to return and hosts 150 events a year, generating hundreds of millions of dollars annually for Charlotte. She chaired the City Council's Budget Committee and its Economic Development and Planning Committee for 12 years. Following her time on the City Council, Lynn served as a public relations consultant, political analyst, reporter for WBTV, and as a co-host and regular guest on the Danny Fontana Show and the Pete Kaliner Show on WBT Radio.

If there was something Lynn was more proud of than her time on the Council, it was her family and friends. Lynn's greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren. She kept up with all of their activities and accomplishments and would talk about them to everyone. She relished spending hours on the phone each day catching up with friends and the latest news in the city of Charlotte. Lynn was a mentor to countless people, in and out of politics, and enjoyed hosting many dinners at her home and "Lunches with Lynn" over the years.

She is survived by her children: Christopher Gray Wheeler (Anna) and Lisa Wheeler Craig (Scott), her grandchildren: Scott Edward Craig, Jr., Mary Phillips Craig, Katherine Grace Craig and Madeleine Christina Wheeler. She is also survived by her siblings: Paul English Murphy, Robert Overton Murphy and Catherine Talbot Murphy.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 2 at 11 a.m. Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road, Charlotte, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Levine Cancer Center, 1021 Morehead Medical Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28204.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.