Patricia Kathleen Murphy

January 2, 2008

Patricia K. Murphy, 59, of Camillus, passed away at Syracuse Home in Baldwinsville following a battle with ALS – Lou Gehrig's disease. Born in Syracuse she graduated in 1966 from West Genesee High School, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree at SUNY, Potsdam College and her Master’s at Florida State University. She taught in Florida and in Fairfax, VA where she was a reading specialist. She planned reading programs and brought noted storytellers, Rafe Martin and Donald Davis, to her school for the children to enjoy. Enthused about reading and its importance in education, she haunted bookstores selecting books for her school. She retired from teaching after 25 years and entered the culinary field. She was accepted at the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, graduated with an Associate Degree in Pastry Arts. She worked at Otesaga Inn at Cooperstown, the Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont, the Patisserie in Baldwinsville (with her brother-in-law, John) and at L’Adour in Syracuse. Pat enjoyed children’s books, gourmet cooking, traveling and her family, especially her nephews, Ryan and Brendan. She donated two antique children’s desks from the old Brighton School where she attended, together with her extensive collection of children’s books to the McKinley Brighton School. Survivors include her parents Ed and Natalie Murphy of Camillus; her sister, Pam (John) Carroll of Camillus; a brother, D’Arcy Murphy of Daytona Beach, FL; a brother Dexter (Pearl) Murphy and nephews Ryan and Brendan of Stonington, CT. Two devoted health care friends who cared for Pat are Dawn and Patti. They’re fondly remembered. Pat’s family thanks all of the staff at Syracuse Home and Hospice of CNY for there excellent care and compassion. Calling hours will be 4 to 7 Thursday at B.L. Bush & Sons, 10 Genesee St. Camillus. Memorial Services are 11 am Friday at Robinson Memorial Church, 126 South Terry Rd, Syracuse, NY 13219. Burial will be in Onondaga Valley Cemetery. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Robinson Memorial Church or Hospice, 990 7th North St., Liverpool, NY 13088. Please sign her guestbook at www.BLBUSH.com