M. Patricia Murphy

Murphy, M. Patricia LATHAM M. Patricia Murphy, 71, entered into eternal life on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. Born in Troy, N.Y. on April 4, 1938, Patricia was the daughter of the late Vincent A. and Catherine R. Murphy. She was preceded in death also by her brothers, William G. Murphy, Esq. and Vincent D. Murphy. Patricia was a 1955 graduate of Catholic Central High School in Troy where she later served as a member of the board of trustees. In recognition of her support of Catholic education and her service to Catholic High, in 2007 she was honored with the Monsignor Burns Memorial Award. In 1955 she began a 38-year long career with the State of New York, most of which was spent in the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. She retired in 1993 as executive assistant to Orin Lehman, commissioner. During her career, she was the first woman to receive the agency's "Special Services Award" in 1976. She was a communicant of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Latham. Much of Patricia's life was dedicated to volunteer work throughout the Capital Region. Among her volunteer activities were the Ladies of Charity, the Leadership Team at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, the Town of Colonie Library, Albany "Meals on Wheels," Friends of the Pruyn House, Town of Colonie Centennial Committee, the Albany Institute of History and Art and Unity House in Troy. Pat is survived by her cousin, Ann Brierton Graves of San Diego, Calif.; as well as numerous friends whose dedication to Pat allowed her to consider them her extended family. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 498 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Colonie. There will be no public calling hours prior to the Mass. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of M. Patricia Murphy may be made to the Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, 295 Valley View Boulevard, Rensselaer, NY 12144.