Rita M. Murphy, 88, died August 13 at Danbury Hospital. The daughter of the late Florence (Harmon) and William McIlrath, she was only 6 months old when her parents moved to Danbury from Springfield, Mass.

Her brother, the Reverend Leo McIlrath, and his wife Dianne, of Sandy Hook; her daughter, Karen Lilly, and her husband Steve; son, John Murphy; sister-in-law, Hazel McIlrath; 11 grandchildren, Amy Zavatsky, and her husband Mike, Carrie Phillip, Dawn Macri, Lisa Murphy, Colin Philipp, T.J. Macri, and Taylor, Mark, Shay, Tighe, and Sam Zavatsky, all of Newtown, survive Mrs Murphy, as do several loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many wonderful friends. Besides her parents and husband, John F. “Murph” Murphy, her daughter Patricia Philipp; brothers William, Robert, and Joseph; and sisters Theresa and Rosemary predeceased Mrs Murphy.

She was married to John F. “Murph” Murphy, whom she met while they both worked at Risdon’s Manufacturing. Later she worked many years for DeLong’s Answering Service and, until her death, part-time as a registrar of voters.

She was an active member of St Peter’s Guild and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. As a previous member of the Women’s International Bowling Congress, she would continue with the bowling league at the Danbury Senior Center.

Her biggest and most important career was volunteering. She spent many hours working at Danbury Hospital, the Bethel VNA, Regional Hospice, and the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen. Mrs Murphy was known as one of the esteemed “Mother Theresa” types of the greater Danbury area. She maintained ongoing records of former classmates from St Peter’s School and Danbury High School Class of ’45 in her desire to bring them all together at their monthly luncheons at The Hearth. She was known by her family and friends as the one to call if someone needed a midnight ride to the hospital, to a medical appointment, or even a quick trip to the bank or shopping center. The word “no” was not in her vocabulary. She was the most sought-after caregiver. Families would entrust only her to their loved one's care. Countless friends will now need to search out a “Plan B.”

Friends and family may call at Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury, on Tuesday, August 18, from 5 to 8 pm.

Mrs Murphy will return “full circle” to St Peter Church, 115 Main Street, Danbury, Wednesday, August 19, at 10:30 am, for the Mass of the Resurrection. Interment will follow at St Peter Cemetery, Lake Avenue Extension, Danbury.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kevin’s Community Center, 153 South Main Street, Newtown CT 06470 or at www.kevinscommunitycenter.org.