Bettyann Henry Murphy passed away in Pinehurst, North Carolina on December 18, 2020. She was the widow of Peter Goodrich Murphy, her beloved husband of 60 years, who predeceased her in 2018.
Born on February 14, 1934, in Mt. Vernon, NY, Bettyann was raised in Darien, CT and attended the Darien public schools, Goucher College, and the Berkeley School of Business. While working in New York City at Vogue Magazine, she met and married Peter of New Canaan, CT, and in 1959 the couple moved from New York to New Canaan, where they lived for the next 43 years raising their three children and enjoying time spent with their family and many friends.
She was an active volunteer serving on the Boards of the Junior League of Stamford/Norwalk, the New Canaan Outdoor Art Show, the New Canaan Sewing Group, and the New Canaan Library. While a trustee at the latter, she organized and became the first Chair of the Friends of the New Canaan Library and also served on the building committee for its first major addition in 1972. Bettyann and Peter were long time members of the Country Club of New Canaan, as well as The First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan, where she was a member of the Communion Committee for some 32 years.
Bettyann was an avid needlepointer and particularly liked creating Christmas tree ornaments and decorative items for her home, as well as for her family, friends, and the New Canaan Sewing Group. For many years, she worked part time at the New Canaan Book Shop, where she specialized in juvenile literature. Later, she worked at Featheridge Designs, a local needlepoint shop.
In 2003, she and Peter retired to Davidson, NC where she spent many happy years traveling with Peter, reading and participating in book clubs, serving on the Board for the Newcomers of North Mecklenburg County, playing bridge, and enjoying friends and membership in various social groups. She was a member of the Davidson College Presbyterian Church and was an enthusiastic Davidson College basketball fan.
In 2017, Bettyann and Peter relocated to Pinehurst, NC. Following Peter’s death, she moved to Penick Village, a continuing care retirement community, in nearby Southern Pines, NC.
She is survived by: Cynthia Murphy of Wells, Maine; Jacqueline (Jill) Lazusky and Danny Kirby of Pinehurst, NC; Douglas and Tracey Murphy of New Canaan, CT; three grandchildren, Peter and Jeffrey Murphy of New Canaan, CT, and Heather Lazusky of Huntersville, NC; one great-granddaughter, Audre Vanderburg of Huntersville, NC; and two sisters, Maryann von Dwingelo of New Canaan, CT and Sallyann Henry of New York City.
Memorial contributions can be made to Penick Village Foundation, 500 E. Rhode Island Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 28387.
Online condolences may be left at www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
