Amy Lou Lanphear Murphy passed away on Aug. 14, 2022, surrounded by family.
Amy, lovingly known as “Mimi,” was born on July 17, 1949, in Aberdeen, Washington to Donald and Doraine Lanphear. Amy was the third of their four daughters, including Sharon, Lynette “Pete” and Tracy. After their father’s death, the sisters welcomed Bill Buchanan to the family when he married Doraine. Amy and her three sisters were best friends and enjoyed their time growing up in Aberdeen.
Amy married the love of her life, Mike “Mooney” Murphy, on Aug. 6, 1977. They recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in typical fashion, camping in their motorhome. In recent years, Amy and Mooney ventured to Lake Havasu, Arizona for extended stays to enjoy the sun and do a little fishing.
Amy and Mooney raised three children: Jamie, Katy and Molly, in Aberdeen. The family enjoyed camping, fishing and spending time with their close-knit extended family and friends. Amy supported her kids in all of their many activities, including swimming, baseball, YMCA Leadership, cheer and so much more. Many of her kids’ friends thought of her as a second mom. Their family expanded with the addition of her three favorite in-laws, Kristin, Michael and Ethan.
Amy absolutely delighted in spending time with her six grandchildren: Madison (23), Luke (21), Cobey (20), Ellie (17), Evan (17) and Cooper (9). Gramma Amy went to their games, plays, performances, birthday parties, graduations and more. She made them her legendary blueberry pancakes, took them birthday shopping, always had a craft project on hand and supported them with her gentle words of wisdom. She always went out of her way to make each grandchild feel special. She couldn’t have loved them more!
Amy was a talented craftswoman. Many know her glass artistry as the “Glass Goddess” for which she created thousands of stained glass and fused glass pieces. She participated in craft fairs throughout Grays Harbor and neighboring counties for more than 30 years. She was also an accomplished seamstress, often sewing clothes, blankets, jackets, and bags for family and friends. As each of her six grandchildren were born, she created a custom quilt especially for them.
Amy, along with her sisters, always had a variety of craft projects at the ready for family gatherings and camping trips — painted rocks, clay, beads, glitter, feathers — anything could be used for crafts. Amy was an excellent baker, well-known for her homemade rolls and pies.
Amy was passionate about teaching childbirth classes and assisting new moms with breastfeeding, including being a member of the La Leche League. She will always be part of the birth stories for so many local families.
For many years, Amy worked as a Teen Pregnancy Counselor (TAPPP) for the Grays Harbor Health Department guiding many young mothers in their pregnancy journey. Previously, she served as the first director of the Aberdeen YMCA’s childcare program, Ys Kids. Early in her career, she worked as a veterinarian technician, alongside two of her sisters. For several years, she owned a small business, Classy Cables and Costumes, for which she provided gorilla grams and other costume characters delivering birthday greetings and other fun messages to clients.
Amy’s legacy will truly live on in the love she shared with her family, children, grandchildren and many friends. She was kind and gracious with a warm smile and a lending hand to all. Her guidance and energy touched many, many lives.
Please join Amy’s family for her celebration of life on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022, at 1 p.m. at VFW Memorial Park, 128 SR 107, Montesano, WA 98563.
