Henrietta Elizabeth Murphy MSW, LCSW's Obituary
Henrietta Elizabeth (Betty) Murphy passed away on Tuesday evening, October 16, at the age of 90 in the company of friends and family. She is survived by her only son Patrick W. Murphy, Ph. D., her only grandson John Patrick Murphy, and her great grandchildren Beck and Neve.
Betty was born in Portsmouth, Ohio on March 12, 1928 to mother, Christena, and father Rhoades Van Nostrand. She moved to San Bernardino in 1951 with 4 year old son Patrick in tow, and built a life over the next 67 years that touched many members of the community.
In 1969, Betty earned her Bachelor of Arts degree as part of the first graduating class of the California San State University, San Bernardino. She completed her Masters in Social Work in 1976 and was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the state of California. As a social worker in Riverside County, Betty dedicated her 35 year career to supporting children and adults in need. As the first director of Riverside County’s Office on Aging she initiated most of its currents programs and directions. In December 2004 she retired from Riverside’s Department of Public Social Services as a Branch Supervisor for its Adult Protective Services program.
Betty was always a parishioner of San Bernardino’s St. Anne’s Catholic Church (now Our Lady of Hope) and was a generous benefactor to many religious and secular charities. She enjoyed travelling the world with friends and family and spending time with her great grandchildren.
Betty will always be remembered for her independent spirit which inspired everyone who knew her. Viewing begins at 10am Friday October 26th at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, followed by the rosary at 10:30am and the Funeral Mass at 11:00am. Childhood friend Father Paul Schmidt will preside. Betty will be laid to rest alongside her parents and siblings at Greenland Cemetery in her native Portsmouth, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to Catholic Relief Services (www.crs.org).
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