Marion Frederica Rutledge Murphy

Marion Frederica Rutledge Murphy

December 15, 1930 – July 16, 2022

Marion was born in Little Rock, AR to the late Robert Emmett and Tecumseh Bell Rutledge, and was raised in Wilmington, DE where she graduated from Howard High School in 1948. She went on to obtain a B.S. degree from Fisk University (1952) and an M.S.W. from the University of Pennsylvania (1957). While attending Penn, Marion met and married the love of her life, the late Robert (Bob) Murphy and they were blessed with two sons, Robert Anthony and Douglas Eric.

Marion began her professional career as a teacher’s assistant with Wilmington public schools. She loved helping others; so, after obtaining a master’s degree she held social work positions with the Veterans’ Hospital (Philadelphia), Tom Thumb Agency (West Chester), Mental Health Mental Retardation (West Chester), and Montgomery County Social Services Agency

(Norristown). She also helped patients at Paoli Memorial Hospital as Assistant Director of Social Services, until she retired. Following retirement, she was awarded more time for birding, volunteering, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Marion was an avid birder with Tyler Arboretum (Media, PA), and she enjoyed birding day trips to Cape May, NJ, Camp Henlopen, NJ, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (Kent County, DE), Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (Kempton, PA) and Middle Creek Wildlife Management (Stevens, PA).

Marion was a founding member and officer of Jack and Jill of America (Chester County chapter) and held memberships in the Links, Inc. (Montgomery County, PA and Shelby County, TN chapters), the Carrousels (Philadelphia chapter) and The Society, Inc. (Delaware Valley, PA and Memphis, TN chapters). She served on the selection committee for applicants to the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Work, was a lifetime member of the NAACP, and a host family for A Better Chance (ABC). She was also a dedicated member and Sunday school teacher of the Main Line Unitarian Church, where she served on the Small Group Ministries committee. Marion’s desire to help others is also evidenced through her volunteer services to the Fair Housing Council of Philadelphia, Community Volunteers in Medicine (founding member) and her important work as an Organ Donation awareness advocate.

To mourn her death, Marion leaves two sons, Tony (Arris) and Eric, one grandson, Forrest, a brother, Rocky (Dolly), nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family sincerely thanks everyone for all the calls, cards, visits, and support shown to them during this difficult time.

A memorial service will be held in October 2022 at the Main Line Unitarian Church, Devon PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Community Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) at 300 Lawrence Dr. # B, West Chester, PA 19380 or www.cvim.org.