Mrs. Betty (Staples) Murphy of Butler passed away Friday.

Born in Butler, June 10, 1914, she was the daughter of Walter Brickel and Mae (Rhoades) Staples.

Her husband of 64 years, Albert Jay Murphy Jr., preceded her in death July 12, 2001, along with three brothers and one sister.

Survivors include a brother, Seth P. Staples and his wife, Grace; a sister, Gloria H. Kerr; nine nieces; and three nephews. Also surviving are a son, Albert Jay Murphy III and his wife, Laurel; a daughter Judith Challis and her husband, Jack Isherwood; four grandchildren, James Jay Isherwood and his wife, Izumi, John S. Ishwood III and his wife, Kathryn, Ian Isherwood and his wife, Samantha, and Megan B. Gahring and her husband, Brian; and two great-grandchildren, Len O. Isherwood and Jesse M. Gahring.

Gardening, traveling, reading and writing were her passions.

Mrs. Murphy was a devoted and eloquent Christian woman, a marvelous and loving mother and grandmother, and a good friend to all. She will be sadly missed.

<B>MURPHY</B> — There will be no public visitation. A memorial service for Betty (Staples) Murphy, who died Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, is planned for 11:30 a.m. May 2 in the Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jeff Curtis officiating. Interment will take place in Greenlawn Burial Estates, Mount Chestnut.The family suggests donations to Butler Visiting Nurses and Hospice Association, 154 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001; Meals on Wheels, Connoquenessing, Renfrew, PA 16053; or the Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church, 727 Old Route 422, Butler, PA 16001.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.