We are saddened to announce the passing away of our beloved Peggy Murphy, past Club Secretary. Peggy passed away on 16 September after a sudden illness. She was 77Peggy was born January 1, 1944, in Flushing, New York to Robert and Elizabeth Van Arsdale. She spent her first years with her maternal grandparents in Bayside while her father fought in World War II. The family then moved to Canton, Ohio briefly before relocating to the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area. She returned to New York City and enrolled at the Katherine Gibbs School and shortly after completion she worked as an executive secretary for Eastern Airlines. Around 1967, she met the love of her life, John Murphy. They were wed on 2 October 1971. That night they danced to “Misty” by Ella Fitzgerald. Her world was shattered when John preceded her in death on 11 October 2004. She busied herself by playing Sudoku, never shying from a high-difficulty game. She loved pizza on a Friday night and ice cream on days that ended in Y. She found joy in her pets—Killian, Snoopy, and Hudson. Peggy preferred you not interrupt Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune and if you knew the answer, you best bite your tongue and not call out.
She loved to watch the Mets, Giants, and Rangers play. She was a huge Florida State fan. Throughout her life, she loved The Beach Boys and was beyond words excited to see them in concert a few years ago. She loved working with children. Her work as a class mother at St. Matthew School in Hastings-on-Hudson served as an inspiration to become a teacher, working mostly with 4th grade. For twenty-two years, Peggy worked at St. Mary School in Yonkers, New York.
Peggy loved to help people and her willingness to serve people to make this world a better place. That love lead her to Rotary, where she served with distinction. She held the Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club together as Secretary for a number of years. She was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. She was involved in a number of projects that focused on improving the circumstances of children. Two such projects include the delivery of school supplies and pencil boxes to Yonkers Public School primary students and the playground installation at School 9 in Yonkers (which was her husband’s grade school).
Her greatest joy was found in helping others. She did not realize how much she was loved or fathom how greatly she will be missed by those she leaves behind. Peggy joins her beloved John and is survived by her daughter Anne Elizabeth.
Visiting hours will be at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home on Sunday 19 September 2-6 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church on Monday, 20 September at 11 am. The final Disposition is private.
Peggy was an advocate for young women who could use help in advancing their education. The Club is considering establishing a scholarship in Peggy's name to help ypung women with their education. Anyone wishing to donate can do so via the Club website. Please be sure to indicate "Peggy Murphy Memorial Scholarship".