Obituary of Stella Murphy

MURPHY (Legge), Stella Loyola — 74, of Halifax, passed away June 8, 2010, in the VG Site, QEII, after a lengthy battle with COPD. Born in Forest Home, Kings Co., on November 22, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Kathleen Annie (Morley) and Lewis Burton Legge. Upon graduation from Wolfville High School and KCA, she began training in nursing at the Halifax Infirmary, QEII, graduating as an RN in 1956. She worked at hospitals in Halifax and Wolfville, and with the Victorian Order of Nurses in Halifax. She studied public health at Dalhousie University, graduating in 1962. Her career with the Victorian Order of Nurses continued in New Glasgow, Dartmouth, Kentville, and Amherst. She began working in nursing homes in Amherst and continued in Halifax until her retirement in 1999. Throughout her long career she remained deeply committed to nursing and to her patients. She enjoyed animals, reading, painting, and crafts. She loved playing the piano. She is survived by daughters, Louise (Glen) Murphy, Atlanta, Ga., and Kathleen (Kris) Dunbar, Halifax; son, Garth (Yanga), Pusan, South Korea; grandsons, Peter and Jack; caring companion, Garth, New Ross; sister, Marina (Doug) Murray, Bedford; brother, Jim (Carol) Greenwich, Kings Co.; many nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Monday in J. Albert Walker Funeral Home, 149 Herring Cove Rd., Halifax. A funeral mass will take place Tuesday at 10 a.m. in St. Michael's in Spryfield, Father Jamie Utronkie officiating. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Family flowers only. Donations in Stella's name may be made to Bide Awhile Animal Shelter, Dartmouth, or the Victorian Order of Nurses.