Obituary of Grace C. Murphy
Grace C. Murphy
(nee Claussen)
Age 93, of Joliet, passed away peacefully, Monday, February 5, 2018 at Joliet Area Community Hospice Home, surrounded by the love of her family. Born August 4, 1924, she was the daughter of Ed and Jean (Behringer) Claussen and was a graduate of Lockport Township High School, Class of 1942. Grace was a woman before her time, always employed full time while raising a family. She worked in Chicago during the 1940’s for a major airline and was a stenographer at the Atomic Energy Commission in the 50’s. She changed careers in the 1960’s when she managed the office of the Lockport Assessor, and then finally retired from Hartford Insurance Company in 1982.
Grace was very social and loved shopping the sales, spending time with her many friends and family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling, and after retiring loved spending summers in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin and winters in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Surviving are her two children, Galey (Gerald) Kielian of Plainfield, and James Murphy of Joliet; five loving grandchildren, Michele (Don) Beck, Kevin (Jennifer) Hray, Ashley (Scott) Shinick, Jordan Kielian and Patrick Kielian; four great-grandchildren, Nathan and Taylor Beck and Emma and Samantha Hray; her sister-in-law, Doris Feithen; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of fifty years, James W. Murphy; her parents; and siblings, Alice (George) Gunderson, Nancy (Fred) Kestel, George Claussen and Paul (Joan) Claussen.
Memorial services for Grace Murphy will be held on Friday, February 9, 2018, at 6:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until the time of services at 6:00 p.m. Cremation rites have been accorded and interment at Resurrection Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to Joliet Area Community Hospice would be appreciated. For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
