Lorraine Murphy

Lorraine Murphy

JEROME, MI - Lorraine Murphy, 96, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2025. She was born Lorraine Anita Thorndike on Christmas Eve 1928 in Bayonne, New Jersey, the youngest child of Franklin and Winifred Teasdale Thorndike. The family soon relocated to Tioga County, Pennsylvania, then permanently to Toledo, Ohio, where Lorraine spent her childhood. She was a 1947 graduate of the Morrison R. Waite High School in Toledo. While working at the Toledo Blade, Lorraine met Robert Lee Murphy. They were married on April 9, 1965. After Bob's retirement they joined Lorraine's parents in Florida where they spent many years in Venice. In 2016 they moved to Jerome, Michigan, to be closer to Bob's family. They celebrated 52 years of marriage until Bob's passing in 2017.

Animals were a special love for Lorraine, from St. Bernards to her last kitty Cleopatra. During their retirement years she and Bob enjoyed many trips, including softball tournaments across the country where Bob was an all-star player. Lorraine enjoyed shopping, dancing, roller skating, and traveling to softball tournaments.

Lorraine is survived by her niece, Judeth (Gary) Thorndike-Grannell of Benton Harbor, MI; grandnephew, Larry (Ruth) Stewart of Asheville, NC; stepson, Michael (Alice) Murphy of Jerome, MI; grandson, William (Brooke) Murphy; and great-grandchildren, Vanessa and Juliana of Holt, MI; cousin, Margaret (Chip) Bowen of Jefferson, MD; and her nephew, James' widow Terri Smith of Toledo, OH. She was predeceased by brother, Franklin (Brud) Thorndike; sister, Dorothy Smith Leahy; niece, Betty Jean Smith Bennett, niece, Sally Sirk; nephew James Smith; and granddaughter, Jennifer Lynne Murphy.

The family wishes to thank the many friends, caregivers, family, and neighbors who cared for Lorraine, especially Vista Grande Villa Memory Care Unit and Careline Hospice. Memorial donations may be made to ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) ASPCA.org.

There will be no visitation. A private graveside service for family will follow after cremation and interment will be at Somerset Cemetery in Somerset Center, Michigan. Friends can express sympathies to the family online by visiting the tribute wall at www.brownvanhemert.com. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home, Addison.