Shirlee Faulkner Murphy
June 7, 1924 ~ February 14, 2017
Resided in:
Wilton, CA
Shirlee was born June 7, 1924 in Berkeley, CA to Raymond and Ethel Faulkner. Graduated from Berkeley High School in 1943. Shirlee married Harold B. Murphy, of Oakland, on June 13, 1948. They lived in Oakland, Hayward and then moved to Fremont in 1963.
Shirlee has been involved in a variety of charities over the years. One dear to her heart was the RUBICON program, which 'provide pathways for people in the program to develop the economic mobility to move out of poverty.' Shirlee and Harold helped to support many different programs, including Hanna Boys Center and Our Lady's Ministry. They were both parishioners of St. Joseph Catholic church in Fremont since 1963.
Shirlee was full of life and energy. She loved to garden, was truly a caring, generous and elegant woman, and a wonderful friend and neighbor. She also loved music, dancing, fashion, clothes shopping, the horse races (and, winning)!
While working one of her early jobs she entered a contest for selling war bonds - she won! Picture of herself & her mom in the paper in her newly purchased tailored suit. A story she always liked to talk about was when her father made the 'moonshine' in their basement, then go along for the ride with her dad to slyly deliver it to the customers.
She was known to tip the guy in the drive-thru when buying an ice cream for some of her grandkids, or buy coffee for police officers when she saw them. Her house was known as the lady that handed out full size candy bars at Halloween! 'Bay Street in 10 mins?' The older grandkids remember this.
Shirlee was taught from a very early age to smile at everyone, and to say 'Hello'. She did that all her life!
She is survived by her daughter Lauree & her husband Tom Trisler, their children Rob and his wife Libby, Jon, Darla and her husband Brian; sister Dolores 'Diddy' Magnelli who is 102 yrs old & Linda Magnelli. She was preceded in death by her son Michael who passed in 2003, he left behind his children Bonnee and her husband Jeff, Kathleen and her husband Michael, Bridget & Maureen. She is also survived by great grandkids: Caitlin, Jacob, Emily F., Jane, Chloe, Josiah, Nicoli, Michael, Lucious, Emily C., Madison & Elizabeth; one niece and two nephews.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Visitation on Wednesday February 22nd, from 4:30-8:00 PM with a vigil at 7:00 PM held at Berge-Pappas-Smith Chapel of the Angels, 40842 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA. Mass will be 10:00 AM Thursday, February 23rd, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 43148 Mission Blvd, Fremont. Private burial will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
To my Dear Aunt Shirley,
You were always my favourite!!! As a young girl I Loved staying with you. You inspired me with your fashion (which I still love today), your love of animals also ”rubbed” off on me n I still have a beautiful sequinned angora sweater you gave me!!! You were truly a beautiful lady inside n out!! My dad loved you so much!!!!!
You are with the Angels in s beautiful place. xoxoxo your neice Karen
My deepest sympathĂ…ÂĄy to the family. Losing a love one can be very difficult but I’ve found comfort in God’s promise of a resurrection and his promise to swallow up death forever. John 5:28, 29 and Isaiah 25:8