Murphy, Mary Ann RN, MPH touched many lives and will be celebrated and remembered for serving others with love in her profession, in her community and in her family. She died in her Eau Claire home Sunday after a courageous battle with melanoma. Mary Ann was an accomplished woman who quietly rose to the top of her profession as a public health nurse in Wisconsin. Not one to draw attention to herself, she rarely talked of the many awards showered upon her for her work as an outstanding leader and activist in her profession as well as in her community and church. Born in Frederic, Wisconsin on September 5, 1939, Mary Ann Murphy was the youngest child and only daughter of Edward and Irene Murphy. She grew up on the family farm in Georgetown and began her education in a two-room schoolhouse; she graduated Salutatorian from Milltown High School in 1957. She received a BS in Nursing from the College of St Catherine in St Paul, MN in 1961, which launched her career in nursing. In 1969, she attended graduate school at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where she received a Master of Public Health. Following graduation, she returned to work as a nursing consultant for the State of Wisconsin. In 1976, she joined the Eau Claire City-County Health Department as Director of Nursing and served and that capacity until she retired in 1999. She said: "I feel fortunate to have chosen a career I truly enjoy and to have had the opportunities to practice that career exclusively in public health." Her high standards, integrity and work ethic inspired those who knew her. She was a devoted, selfless woman which was evident in all that she did whether it was caring for others as a nurse, preparing a magnificent Thanksgiving feast, nurturing her garden and lawn, baking her famed cookies, or entertaining friends and family at her home and cabin. She used her many skills and talents to execute all she did with excellence. She knew how to make the ordinary extraordinary. Mary Ann Murphy was above all devoted to her family. She was a loving and loyal sister who adored her big brothers Robert and Alan (Alan C. Murphy preceded her in death in 2004). She also adored, and was adored by, her four nieces, two nephews, three grandnieces, and eight grandnephews who feel truly blessed with the gift of her love. She was a role model who inspired us by the way she lived. She had a warm ready laugh, a positive and optimistic outlook and an unshakeable faith. We know her Irish Eyes are now twinkling in heaven where she will forever be an angel to us all. Mary Ann Murphy is survived by her brother Robert E. Murphy and his wife Judy; Nieces and Nephews: Patrick and Pam Murphy of Polk County, WI; Kathleen Murphy Davis of Chicago; Marjorie and Tim Blevins of Mendota Heights, MN; Monica Murphy and Scott Carlquist of Minneapolis; Bridget Mary Murphy of St. Paul, MN; Michael and Amy Murphy of Minneapolis. Grand Nieces and Nephews: Matthew and Lisa Murphy of Menomonie, WI; Nicholas Murphy of Polk County, WI; Daniel Murphy, US Navy, Jacksonville, FL; Andrew Murphy Davis of Chicago; Edward Blevins, Louis Blevins, Grace Blevins of Mendota Heights, MN, Oliver Cohen, Benjamin Cohen of St. Paul, MN; Madeline Murphy, Eleanor Murphy of Minneapolis, MN; and longtime friend Pat Doll of Eau Claire, WI. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 AM Thursday, December 20, 2007 at St Patrick Church, 316 Fulton Street, Eau Claire; visitation to be held one hour prior (10am-11:00 AM Thursday) at the church. Interment 3:30 PM at Holy Rosary cemetery, Georgetown, WI. Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire is assisting the family with the arrangements. Friends may offer condolences online at fullerspeckien.com. Memorials may be made to: Northwest Wisconsin Homecare PO Box 2060 Eau Claire, WI 54702 St Francis Food Pantry 1221 Truax Blvd Eau Claire, WI 54703