The obituary notice of Margaret MURPHY

RIP Margaret love to all the family x you sound like a lovely lady that will be missed dearly

Margaret did not have a privileged or an easy life. Yet, she always had a smile on her face – even though her false teeth fell out from time to time. She would brighten up a room with her infectious personality to the extent that everyone wanted to be her friend. And she would make everyone feel like they were her best friend. She often made us giggle with her honest opinions and her colourful language. To know Margaret was to know cheerfulness, resilience, and optimism. Margaret always gave generously from what she had. You could not leave her house without at least having some biscuits and a drink. She would always wait at the door to wave her visitors off too.

Margaret moved into Laurel Court Care Home in 2023. Her devoted family, particularly her children, continued to shower her with love, care, and joy until the last moments of her life. Their dedication to Margaret was a reflection of the unconditional love that she had bestowed upon them throughout their lives. Margaret’s children can forever take comfort in knowing that they did everything and more for their mum in the years when she needed them the most.

Margaret passed away peacefully on Monday 13th May 2024.

Margaret is irreplaceable and will be deeply missed by her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren, as well as by the rest of her family in England and Ireland.

She is no longer with us but her beautiful personality and the endless amounts of laughter she generated will continue to shine for those of us who were fortunate to know her.

As she always used to say: “God love her”.

Margaret was a hard-working woman who had more energy than most of those around her. She had several jobs over the years, from working in a paint factory to pumping petrol in a fuel station. She is best remembered as a dinner lady at Birchfields Primary School in Longsight. It was here that Margaret committed almost 30 years of service to keeping children safe – a vocation that should not be underestimated. She also gave out a few Polos along the way. An entire community grew-up under the shade of her smile and enjoying her great sense of humour. Many of the children continued to express their fondness for her whenever they saw her in the neighbourhood – irrespective of what background they came from or how old they were.

Margaret was a lady who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. She seemed to get a thrill from a walk to the shops. She would read her newspapers and her magazines with passion – and the occasional outburst of disapproval. She loved her armchair and everyone knew to get out of it as soon as she walked in the room. She knew exactly what she wanted to watch on TV. She peeled potatoes on a near daily basis with such enthusiasm that she could have been mistaken for a person training for a potato peeling competition. She seemed to treat her daily crossword as a duty which she had to complete – even though she had mixed success at completing them.

Margaret Mary Murphy was born in the Republic of Ireland on 24th June 1937. She was raised in Cork with the maiden name Mullane. Margaret was one of 6 children alongside James, Gussy, Danny, Monica, and Sheila. They were raised by their loving mother after their father passed away from an accident at a relatively young age.

Margaret made the brave journey to England in the early 1960s and settled in Manchester. It wasn’t long until she met a handsome young joiner with a cheeky personality named Jeremiah Anthony Murphy. Maggie and Jerry married at St Cuthberts Church in Withington in 1964. They moved into Old Hall Lane in 1970 where they remained for the rest of their lives. They lived in Manchester for a long time but neither of them ever lost their charming Irish accent.

When they married, Margaret and Jerry were not aware that they were about to enjoy 51 years of marriage together during which time they would raise 6 successful, brilliant, and unique children: Bernie, Trisha, John, Eileen, Anthony, and Danny. Nor did they know that they were destined to have their funerals in the same church decades later. Jerry passed away in 2015 and is now joined by his soulmate Margaret who has left us at the age of 86.

Condolences to the Murphy Family.
Fond memories of Margaret and Jerry from their time in Fallowfield and Birchfields.
There was always a cup of tea,a warm welcome and an infectious laugh to greet me when I called.
A great Cork woman.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.
Love and prayers.
Annette

God Bless Marget
My sincere condolences to Danny and all the family x.

To Danny and Family - my sincere condolences

Such a beautiful, funny and caring person. Great friend to mum for over 40 years working at birchfields and my favourite dinner lady always so warm and giving out polo mints to all the kids xx deepest condolences to your wonderful family xx you will be greatly missed Margaret lots of love your dear friend Pat and family xx