Irma Jean (Steffens) Murphy

Irma Jean Murphy passed away peacefully at her home on November 13, 2023, at 92 years old. Jean was born in Mishawaka, Indiana on October 3, 1931, to the late Edward and Hazel (Potts) Steffens. She married Leo Joseph Murphy on June 5, 1949.

Jean and Leo had ten children. They adopted numerous collie dogs and stray cats. Late in her life, Jean developed a deep fondness for horses, and an outing to a local stable where she could observe the horses brought her joy.

Jean loved to travel. She often said living in Germany with Leo for four years was the happiest time of her life. Jean and Leo traveled widely in Europe and visited Russia and Japan. They also lived in South Korea for two years.

Music was Jean’s passion. Her voice was well known at Sacred Heart Parish where she sang in the choir for more than 30 years. While living in Germany, she led the congregation in song, and often sang solo at the congregation's request.

A voracious reader, Jean enjoyed murder mysteries, a wide variety of fiction, and reading about nature, particularly wildlife.

Jean's love for children was reciprocated by the children she cared for over the years. While working in daycare, kids argued over who got to sit in her lap. She possessed an uncanny ability to calm young children. She and Leo donated to organizations that provided aid to children in third-world countries.

Jean is survived by eight of her children, eight grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated December 2, 2023, at the Sacred Heart Parish Center, 100 Sacred Heart Parish Ctr, Notre Dame, IN at 2 p.m.

A private reception will follow the service.

Burial will take place December 4, 2023, at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola, IN.

Memorial donations can be made to, ARC, Saratoga Bridges, 16 Saratoga Bridges Blvd., Ballston Spa, NY 12020-6236