Dorothy Murphy

Dorothy Ellen Murphy, 97, completed this life’s journey on January 9, 2026. After a fall in her Seattle home, she received a weeks’ worth of loving comfort care from all members of her family and many close friends that included stories, tears, laughter, video calls, songs, medicines, and prayers.

Dorothy was born December 14, 1928, to Patrick and Mary (Burks) Mullally. Her youth was spent in the Chicago and St. Louis areas balancing the comforts of her Catholic community with the difficulties of the depression and losing her parents early in life. She attended St. Anthony’s high school in St Louis; her English degree was from Webster College.

She married a family friend, Robert T Murphy, in 1952. With her first newborn in arms, she reluctantly moved to Seattle in 1955. The beauty of the mountains, economic security of the Boeing Company, and new friends at St Paul’s parish quickly won her heart.

Dorothy's joy in life was raising her family and welcoming everyone to come and play in the parties and games of life. She was a vibrant member of the parish: she taught religious education, edited the sports page for the church bulletin, and planned, decorated, and cleaned up after a multitude of Holy days, dinners, breakfasts, and life celebrations.

Her home was open to anyone who needed a meal, a hug, a laugh, or a bed. Immigrants, exchange students, neighbor kids, and young mothers were part of her extended family.

Camping, hiking, typing weekly family newsletters, jogging, traveling, cycling, sporting events, and reading were her various hobbies. Her charity work was her compassionate play. This included the co-founding of Seattle’s St. Francis House, meals for the St Martin de Porres shelter, and aiding her neighbors through the St Vincent de Paul Society.

With her children out of the home, she enjoyed many years of working as the assistant dean of studies at John F Kennedy High School.

When her grandchildren began to speak, Dorothy took on her new name: “Mutti”.
Mutti lived her faith, one of her final acts in life was to lovingly bless the womb carrying her next great grandchild from her hospital bed.

If you were related to her, or if she had heard about you, or if you somehow struggled in this world, Mutti prayed for you and she still does. She will be sorely missed.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Robert (“TopBob”) and her brother Fr. John (Jack) Mullally. She is survived by her children Marie (Wyatt Dietrich), Mark, Jean (Bob Jackson), Clare, Tom, Ed, and Maggie (Steve Rader), her grandchildren: Sarah (Andy Schmidt), Annie (Kamil Szerak), Joe (Candice Rader), Gwen, great grandchildren; June and Beatrice, and step great grandchildren: Max, Elena, and Emily.

A Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on March 20th 1PM. An informal reception will follow.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, please clean out your closets/cabinets and donate useful household items or cash to Seattle’s St Francis House or any other worthy charity.