Nancy Conroy Murphy passed in peace at home on January 20, 2025. Born on December 1, 1935, in Omaha Nebraska to Leslie J Conroy and Irene Kirkebon, Nancy spent her early years as an army brat, moving from base to base throughout the Midwest. When her dad was sent to the European theater at the dawn of World War II, Nancy, her sister Mary Kay and mother boarded a train to cross the country to Medford, Oregon to live close to family while he was deployed.

Fond memories of her childhood growing up in Medford stayed with her to the end, from mischievously soaping the windows of Saint Mary's High School, to biking through the springtime blooms of the Harry and David pear orchards, to day-long excursions poking around old town Jacksonville.

It became apparent early on that Nancy had an extraordinary musical talent singing opera. She pursued her dream of becoming an opera singer at Marylhurst College in Portland, Oregon. She performed several recitals in front of noted dignitaries and visitors while perfecting her talent.

After graduation from Marylhurst, Nancy came home for a summer before embarking on pursuing her musical aspirations, however she didn't factor in being swept off her feet by the charming Irishman Neil J Murphy. Although, throughout her childhood, Nancy knew who he was because her mother warned her many times, "stay away from those Murphy boys," that advice was not headed. They married on June 6, 1959, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Medford, Oregon. Two years later they started their family and moved to Grants Pass, Oregon where Neil had accepted a job as a teacher.  In 1974 Nancy decided to become a teacher as well and commuted 80 miles round trip several nights a week to obtain her teaching degree at Southern Oregon College in Ashland. The following year she became a 4th grade teacher at Highland Elementary, a position she held until she retired in the mid 90's

Nancy's retirement was filled with traveling to Ireland, the United Kingdom and cruising to Alaska with Neil. Their time together ended too soon, when in 2001 Neil passed away. She moved out of the Rogue Valley in 2011 to Vancouver, Washington and found her community at Touchmark Fairway Village where she spent the remainder of her days charming both residents and staff alike.

When Nancy wasn't voraciously reading memoirs, short stories, contemporary literature, the New York Times and political auto biographies, she could be found quilting masterpieces.  It wasn't uncommon for someone she loved to be surprised by one of her creations, just because. Quilts were Nancy's love language. Quilts she created over her lifetime have been gifted to the caregivers and staff of Touchmark Memory Care who dearly loved her to the very end.

Reading and quilting. Genealogy and human rights. Time with family in Arizona and Brush Prairie. A quick wit and an incredible knowledge of current events. These are just a few things Nancy will be remembered for.

Nancy is preceded in death by her beloved husband Neil. She leaves behind her sister Mary Kay Conser (Jim), sons Dan (Jackie) and Tim, and daughter Julie Barclay (Jeff) nine grandchildren, Kelly, Shannon, Hannah, Ben, Patrick, Nick, Zak, Sam and Noah, and three great grandchildren, Leo, Jackson and Rose. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends throughout the USA and in Newcastle-Upon Tyne, UK.

A special thank you to those who were present in her final years including Mary Ann and Dan Edelstein, Charles Blankson and the caring staff of Touchmark Memory Care.

Donations can be made in memory of Nancy to charitywater.org, an organization near and dear to her heart whose goal is to bring safe and clean water to every person on the planet.

A private memorial will take place this summer at Siskiyou Memorial Park in Medford, Oregon.