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[[File:Murphy.jpeg|right|]][[File:Murphy.jpeg|right|thumb|'''|Living History article, Adirondack Daily Enterprise, November, 201''']]'''Born''': April 14, 1932

'''Died''': May 23, 2022

'''Married''': Kenneth Paul Murphy

'''Children''': Brenda Murphy Stringer, Raymond Murphy

Local resident, '''Georgia Murphy''', was interviewed by [[Historic%20Saranac%20Lake|Historic Saranac Lake]] for their oral history project in fall of 2013. This summary of the interview was published in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.

Georgia Murphy came to Saranac Lake in 1955 when her husband Ken became a forestry student at [[Paul%20Smith's%20College|Paul Smith’s College]]. Her first employment was at [[Meyer's%20Drug%20Store|Meyer’s Pharmacy]] (presently the [[Downhill%20Grill|Downhill Grill]]) followed by a variety of jobs including [[Bradley%20Sageman|Dr. Sageman]]’s practice, Paul Smith’s College, and the [[Hotel%20Saranac|Hotel Saranac]]. In 1959 Ken and Georgia purchased the [[Eagle's%20Nest|Eagle’s Nest]] on [[Lake%20Street|Lake Street]]; once owned by [[Alexis%20Thompson|Alexis Thompson]], it housed Thompson's Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants teams during summer training camps, and later the New York Rangers Hockey team. An interest in bobsledding prompted Mr. Thompson to landscape the yard behind the house to mirror part of Mt. Van Hovenburgh, and the site was used by Georgia’s husband Ken, a brakeman for [[Monroe%20Flagg|Monroe “Monk” Flagg]]’s sled. Georgia has been involved with many community groups including fund raising for scholarships for local students, and volunteering for the Essex County Republican Committee, [[Pendragon%20Theatre|Pendragon Theatre]], the [[Saranac%20Lake%20Adult%20Center|Adult Center]], and Ladies of the Elks. Through her volunteerism, community spirit, and interest in local history, Georgia epitomizes what makes Saranac Lake special.<br><br>Historic photo courtesy of Tuffy Latour.
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'''Georgia Jean Young Murphy'''

Please join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Georgia Murphy, who passed comfortably on May 23, 2022.

Born in New Rochelle, New York on April 14, 1932, she was the youngest daughter of Charlie Hinkley Young and Georgia Jean Riker Young. They moved to a farm in Mohawk, New York when she was in the sixth grade. It was in Mohawk where she met her husband, Kenneth Paul Murphy.

Growing up on a farm, she was very active in 4H and she had a best friend named Corporal, whom she talked about up to present day. He would greet her at the fence when she was getting home from school.

She married Ken on July 24, 1954 at the Dutch Reformed Church in Mohawk, while he was still serving in the U.S. Navy. After he discharged they moved to Saranac Lake in 1955, where he attended Paul Smith’s College, graduating in 1957 with a Forestry degree.

Deciding to make Saranac Lake their forever home, they moved into an apartment at [[14%20Charles%20Street|14 Charles St]]. before purchasing the [[Eagle%E2%80%99s%20Nest%20Apartments|Eagle’s Nest Apartments]] at [[51%20Lake%20Street|51 Lake St]]. (currently 110) in 1958.

She is survived by Brenda Murphy Stringer and Raymond Murphy and his wife Lynne.

As she said, <span class="quotations">“I have been blessed with four grandchildren” — Jessica Murphy, Murphy (his fiance Maureen Murphy) and Samuel Stringer, Taylor Murphy and Tracey Dragoon (Jean’s long time partner). She was predeceased by her parents, siblings; Charles, Marion, Jack, Andrew, Ruth and Kenneth, her husband Kenneth in 1990, son Jack in 2005 and daughter Jean just two months to the day that she passed, 2022. Losing her baby was the final straw.

She worked hard most of her life and volunteered a great deal at the same time. Her previous employers were: Dr. Brad Sageman, Dr. David Belair, Myers Drug Store, Paul Smith’s College (which allowed three of her children to attend tuition remission). She was very active in the Elks Club of Saranac Lake and was nominated to be an Exalted Ruler of the Ladies of the Elks for a time. She volunteered for fish frys, high school dances, ski club, Pendragon, and so many more area activities.

We traveled to many different areas of New York state and neighboring states. We camped, skied, boated, fished, spent time at the bobrun and generally had one of the best childhoods we could imagine.

In her own words, I found what she had written years ago: “It has been said that ‘the best is yet to come, I don’t know about that!’ My life on Earth has been wonderful, filled with many treasures and riches.

“Many wonderful friends and acquaintances to numerous to list. You know who you are, thank you!

<span class="quotations">“When all is said and done; I would say my wonderful life is due to the foundation and faith of my loving parents and family.”

Calling hours will be Wednesday, June 1 at Fortune Keough Funeral Home from 4-6 p.m. with a service immediately following. A celebration of life following will be a private family affair. Burial will take place at a later date at the [[Harrietstown%20Cemetery|Harrietstown Cemetery]].

Friends wishing to make a memorial contribution should do so to either the [[First%20United%20Methodist%20Church|First United Methodist Church]] of Saranac Lake, [[Rescue%20Squad|Saranac Lake Rescue]] and Ambulance, or High Peaks Humane Society.

 

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