Dororthy Gess Murphy, 96, of Pensacola, FL, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023.

It is a great comfort to Dororthy's family and friends that she is at peace and celebrating her glory day with all the angels and saints before God our heavenly father.

Dorothy Gertrude Gess was born on July 5, 1927, in St. Albans, NY. She lived in St. Albans, NY and graduated high school from St. Catherine Catholic School. Dorothy took the Long Island, NY train into NYC and worked at Hearst Publishing on several magazine accounts. Although she knew Bill Murphy as a friend of her brother, John growing up they began courtship in 1945, fell in love and married at St. Catherine Catholic Church on October 6, 1946. William F. Murphy, Sr. was serving in the US Navy as they married and so began their 26 years of tours of US Navy Duty Stations that included NY Shipyard, Puerto Rico, Keene NH, Charleston SC, Groton CT, Pensacola, FL and retired in Pensacola in 1972.

Dorothy enjoyed raising a Navy family of 8 children, keeping us all calm and cheerful. She enjoyed walks in fresh fallen snow in New England Winters, swimming and fishing in the warm Gulf Coast Florida sunshine. She participated in many St. Anne's Catholic Church round ups, volunteered with Marian helpers and visited hospitals sharing the Rosary.

As her children grew and graduated from high school, several pursued military paths. Dorothy loved all the armed forces and proudly supported her husband, children, and currently grandchildren who serve. All through the growing years of her 8 children she was an active mom who helped out in Cub, Boy, Girl Scouts and AAU swim teams. Dorothy loves Jesus has a special devotion to Mary, St. Joseph and St. Anthony. She is blessed to be called Mom by 8 plus spouses children, GrandMaMa by 28 grandchildren and 35 great GrandMaMa by Great Grandchildren.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, William and Barbara Gess; brother, John Gess (Vera); daughter, Mary Katherine Wiener; husband of 49 years, William F. Murphy Sr.; daughter, Barbara A. Edwards; grandson, Matthew W. Byrd and great granddaughter, Nevaeh Murphy.

She is survived by her sons, William F. Murphy, Jr. (Marla) of Mineral Bluff, GA, Dennis A. Murphy (Claire) of Ledyand, CT, Timothy P. Murphy (Maria) of Bonaire, GA, Micheal J. Murphy (Teresa) of Tallahassee, FL and Patrick J. Murphy (Honor) of Melbourne Beach, FL; daughters, Therese M. McGrath (Christopher) of Pensacola, FL and Mary Jane Werner (Frances) of Pensacola, FL; 25 grandchildren from marriage with Bonus grandkids with a total of 28 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held 6:00pm-8:00pm Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel with a Rosary to be prayed at 7:00pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00am Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, with Fr. Raymond Herard, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Shane Murphy, Dennis Murphy, Timothy Murphy, Michael Murphy, Patrick Murphy, and Christopher McGrath.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Little Sisters of the Poor (Mobile) 1655 McGill Ave., Mobile, AL 36604.

Special thanks to DJ Frank and Bryana Lewis of Covenant Care of Pensacola, FL, Covenant Care of Tallahassee, FL, Dr. Katherine Price and the staff at Ascension Perdido Key.