Obituary of Dorothy A. Murphy

MOHAWK-ILION – Dorothy A. Murphy, age 80, formerly of Mohawk, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at home, with her family by her side.

She was born on November 22, 1937, in Auburn, NY, the daughter of Kenneth Ayers and Marjorie (Suydam) Ayers.  Dorothy graduated from Ilion High School with the “Class of 1955”.  In 1957, she was married to Joseph Scire.  She later married Harry Murphy in 1963.  She then married Egbert “Dutch” Ray in 1977.  He died in 1984.  Most recently, Dorothy married Donald E. Murphy on January 28, 1989, at the Mohawk Reformed Church.  He passed away on July 16, 1998.  At one time, she was a secretary at the Skenandoa Rayon Corp., Utica.  Mrs. Murphy then became Chief clerk at Herkimer Co. A.S.C.S.-U.S.D.A.  Mrs. Murphy later owned and operated the Crisler Electric Motor Repair Co., in Ilion. 

Later, Dorothy was employed at the Applegate Funeral Home and Monument Service of Ilion and Mohawk for many years as a secretary-receptionist and hairdresser-cosmetologist.  She was also a part-time secretary to the Herkimer County Coroner, Don Applegate.  Dorothy enjoyed working very closely with Don and Judy Applegate in their family business and all three of them became best friends for life.  In fact, Dorothy soon became a very special part of the entire Applegate family and was treated as a member of the family.

More recently, she was a Floral Designer at N. Myrtle Beach Florist for 10 years where she resided with her husband, Don.  Ten years later, she moved back to Mohawk to be closer to her family.

Dorothy was the former Mayor of the Village of Mohawk from 1973-1978.  She was a member of the Mohawk Cemetery Board of Directors and Supt. Of the cemetery and a member of the Town of German Flatts Board of Health.  She was also a member of the Mohawk Reformed Church and a Deacon in the Reformed Church Consistory.  Mrs. Murphy was also a member and former officer of the Order of the Eastern Star, Evening Star Valley Chapter #82.  Most recently, she became a member of the Mohawk American Legion Auxiliary.

Surviving family members include her daughters and son-in-law, Nancy and Lee Watkins and Rebecca “Becky” Samsel, all of Ilion; her son, Steven Murphy and Sue Lowery, of Mohawk; her grandchildren, Eric Watkins and Robert and Justin Samsel; 2 stepsons, Dan Murphy, of Millers Mills and Lee Murphy, of Mohawk; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

She was predeceased by her mother, Marjorie (Ayers) Crisler; her father, Kenneth Ayers; stepfather, Tilford Crisler; 2 sons, Robert H. Ray and Kenneth Murphy; 1 daughter, Susan Lee Murphy; and her 2 sisters, Alethia Davis and Nancy McCleary.

Calling hours will be held Friday, April 20, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. to 6;00 p.m., at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location at 102 West St., Ilion.

The Mohawk American Legion service will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday and the O.E.S. service will be held at 5:45 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held 6:00 p.m., Friday, April 20, 2018, at the funeral home at 102 West St., Ilion immediately following calling hours.

Anyone wishing to share a memory of Dorothy, or add to her online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com.

In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413.  Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home.

Dorothy’s service arrangements and supervision are entrusted to her Family Funeral Director and friend, Don Applegate, assisted by her close friend, Judy Applegate.