Ellen June Murphy

Ellen June Murphy, 93, of Albuquerque, New Mexico passed away on October 2, 2026. Born in Independence, Missouri on April 16, 1933, Ellen was the daughter of Theron Louis Atkins and Addie Lorretta Atkins.

She received her nurse's diploma from Research Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, MO in 1953 at which time she met and married Daniel Arthur Murphy.

In 1958, after giving birth to their third child, the young family moved from the Midwest to Albuquerque, NM where they continued to expand with five more children, ten grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Ellen continued her work as a nurse, initially in the emergency room at St. Joseph's Hospital in Albuquerque and then as a pediatric nurse throughout the remainder of her career. She was highly skilled and was well-loved by all her patients and their families.

In addition to being a working mother with eight children, she enjoyed her rose and vegetable gardens and spending time with her grandchildren. Ellen was an avid reader (especially of history), and a pianist who loved classical music and attended the symphony and Santa Fe Opera productions regularly.

She was a passionate and talented quilter, both for fun and for charity endeavors, and gifted each grandchild a beautiful baby quilt when they were born and again upon their high school graduation.

Ellen June Murphy was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, her husband (Daniel Arthur Murphy), and her daughter (Maureen Denise Harkins). She is survived by seven of her eight children: Michael James Murphy, Ann Elizabeth Murphy, Patrick Edward Murphy, Martin Daniel Murphy, Paul Thomas Murphy, Rebecca Lynn Ahearn, Christine Marie Grant; ten grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will take place at 10:30 on Friday, November 13, 2026 at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 2621 Vermont St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. All are welcome to pray the Rosary at 10:00 am in the church, thirty minutes prior to the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.