Nancy Kathleen Murphy

Nancy K. Murphy July 4, 1933 - June 3, 2021 Nancy Kathleen Murphy died one month and one day before her 88th birthday, knowing in advance it was time. After a two-year battle with a blood disorder, which included various treatments and increasingly more frequent transfusions, Nancy entered hospice care, determined to pass in the Visalia home she shared with her husband, Robert W. Murphy. She died peacefully on June 3, with Bob and daughters Linda Murphy of Healdsburg and Sandra Jean of Wishon at her side. Nancy is also survived by her sister, Barbara Bond of Crowley, Texas; granddaughters Kelly McGraw (Ryan) of Placentia and Brittany Jean of Los Angeles; nephew Mike Bond and nieces Kerry Horst, Kristy Williams and Kim Bonds. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Julia Higby Hancock and Ray A. Hancock. Born in Pomona and raised in Fullerton, she graduated from Fullerton High School, where she met Bob. They married in 1951 and lived in Anaheim. While Robert worked for Southern California Edison Co., Nancy gave birth to Linda and Sandy, and in 1964, the family moved to Visalia, thanks to Bob's job transfer. As her daughters grew older, Nancy worked as the bookkeeper and newsletter editor at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and volunteered at the Visalia Unified School District library for many years. She enjoyed daily morning walks, reading, Scrabble, completing jigsaw, crossword and Sudoku puzzles, and taking in the occasional stray cat that adopted her. Yet most of Nancy's attention was focused on her husband of 69 years, daughters and granddaughters. She joyously hosted family holiday celebrations, prepared everyone's favorite meals when they visited, and never forgot a birthday or anniversary card or gift. Nancy's California family was scattered throughout the state, so her Visalia home was a magnet for her loved ones to gather and enjoy each other. She had numerous friends and neighbors who appreciated her quick smile, warm greetings, empathy for their difficulties, and excitement for their successes. "Mom Pom" to her daughters and "GMa" to her grandchildren, Nancy was deeply loved, remarkably loving and selfless beyond words. While she will be greatly missed, the memory of this wonderfully warm, generous and compassionate woman will linger forever. A Graveside service will be held on Monday, June 14th, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, Ca 93291.