Shirley M. Murphy, age 80, of Belleville, passed away at 2:06 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 2015 at her residence in the company and care of her family and many friends. She was born July 3, 1934 in East St. Louis, IL, the daughter of the late Lester Raymond and Beatrice (Thomure) Smith. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Edward M. Murphy; sons Michael Murphy and Timothy Murphy; six grandchildren: Andrea Swyear, Steven Murphy, Megan Holtman, Julia Haeffele, Alexander Murphy and Olivia Murphy; four great-grandchildren: Livia Swyear, Tessa Holtman, Reese Holtman, and Brynn Holtman; four daughters-in-law: Darlene Murphy, Maureen Thomas-Murphy, Pamela Murphy and Annette Allan; her younger sister, Carol Reeves; and her brother-in-law, David Reeves. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Murphy; and one sister, Doris Flake.

Shirley was deeply beloved by many who were not descended from her by blood, especially her daughters-in-law; and her nieces and nephews: Eric Flake, Victoria Taylor, Michelle Janes and the late Sean Reeves.

She was a proud and active alumna of St. Theresa's Academy (East St. Louis) and a devout and diligent lifelong parishioner of St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish. Her final days were greatly eased by the wisdom, care and skills of the staff at Hospice of Southern Illinois. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Hospice of Southern Illinois or The scholarship fund of the Showmans League of America, St. Louis Chapter. [ http://www.slastlouis.org/about/memorialsch/memorialsch.asp]

Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church in Belleville. A memorial mass will immediately follow.