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Obituary

A lifetime of service to children and others

ANN LOWRY MURPHEY: 1934-2005. Ann Murphey worked tirelessly for the Children's Home Inc. and served on various other boards. She died at 70.

By MARTY CLEAR
Published May 27, 2005

BAYSHORE BEAUTIFUL - Last year, when Ann Murphey found out she had lung cancer, she responded with fierce determination and unshakable optimism.

"She said, "Cancer does not know who it's battling this time,' " said her longtime friend and colleague Larry French.

It was not a typical reaction for a cancer victim. But it was absolutely typical of Mrs. Murphey.

Eight months later, on May 19, cancer finally claimed Mrs. Murphey at age 70. But it never destroyed her spirit, and it can never affect her legacy, French said.

For a quarter-century, Mrs. Murphey was one of the driving forces behind the Children's Home Inc., which provides services to emotionally disturbed youngsters.

She served at various times as board president, associate director and development director. She helped the Children's Home evolve from an orphanage with a limited budget to a comprehensive organization that serves thousands of children.

"Ann Murphey was the Children's Home," said chief development officer Anthony A. Adamo.

She always seemed to be at the Children's Home, working as hard as anyone on the staff and harder than most. But she never accepted any pay.

"I'd get here at 7 in the morning, and she'd already be here," said French, a longtime therapist at the Children's Home. "And I'd leave at 7 in the evening, and she'd still be here."

But the Children's Home was only one aspect of her life of service in Tampa.

She served on the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 13th Circuit from 1988 to 1992 and was the first chair of the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, appointed by Gov. Robert Martinez in 1988.

She was on the board of directors of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, First Citizens Bank and Barnett Bank and on the board of governors for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. Activities such as those helped her earn the Tampa Civitan Club's Citizen of the Year Award in 1992.

She also worked tirelessly for education, and in 1999 received the Benemerenti Medal, awarded by Pope John Paul II in 1999 for her support of Catholic schools.

Mrs. Murphey was born Ann Lowry in North Florida, the daughter of noted Gen. Sumter Lowry, a hero of World War I and II.

As a young girl, she moved to Tampa with her family, which became one of the most influential in the city. Lowry Park is named for her family.

She graduated from Plant High School, Randolph Macon College for Women and the University of South Florida. Fifty years ago, she married Tampa stockbroker David R. Murphey III. The couple lived in Bayshore Beautiful and raised three children.

Mrs. Murphey's connections helped her civic work. But it was mostly her strength, vision and integrity that made her an essential force in the community.

"She was an amazing woman," said John Parsons, former executive director of the Children's Home. "Number one, she was very smart. Number two, she had a lot of energy. And number three, she really liked people. That's a very strong combination."

She brought that same combination to her personal life. She was busy but always had time to be a devoted mother. She expected greatness from her children, her colleagues and herself.

"She liked people," said her daughter Heddy Brown. "But she always challenged them. So she didn't always make them feel comfortable, but she always made them better."

Mrs. Murphey is survived by her husband, David R. Murphey III, daughters Heddy Brown and Bet Snyder, son David R. Murphey IV and six grandchildren.

[Last modified May 26, 2005, 08:27:04]