Mary Catherine Murphy

Mary Catherine Murphy, 85, of Hermantown, long-time legislator, died Wednesday, Dec. 25th at Essentia St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth after a short illness. Mary was born Oct. 25, 1939 in Duluth to James and Gertrude Murphy. She graduated from Hermantown High School and The College of St. Scholastica. She then went on to teach American History and Social Studies at Clover Valley High School and Duluth Central High School. In addition to her teaching career, she served the people of Minnesota as a Minnesota State Legislator for 46 years. 

She was a parishioner at St. Raphael’s Church. 

She enjoyed tending to her Jackson Project home and 5-acre yard/garden, followed by a refreshing root beer on her porch with her favorite nephew Gregg. She loved talking about politics and was forever inspired by the young people she encountered in her career and in her family. She was also an avid reader of mysteries and biographies who appreciated anything by or about Minnesotans.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Gertrude; siblings, Leo, Patrick, Eileen, Paul, and James; and niece, Kathleen. 

Mary is survived by sisters-in-law, Marianne Murphy, and Eva Murphy, 12 nieces and nephews, many great nieces and nephews, and many friends. 

Visitation will be Thursday, January 2nd from 5-7pm, with Wake Prayers at 6:30pm at the Dougherty Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Friday, January 3rd at 10am, followed by an 11am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Raphael’s Church, 5779 Seville Rd, Duluth, 55811. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials are preferred and may be directed to The College of Saint Scholastica, Room 1410 Tower Hall, 1200 Kenwood Ave, Duluth MN 55811, css.edu/give/ or REA3D-The Proctor Area Educational Foundation, 131 9th Ave, Proctor, MN 55810, rea3d.org/donate/.