Teresa Mary (DeBellis) Murphy

Heaven gained a beautiful angel on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.  Teresa’s final days were spent surrounded by family and close friends whom she touched in her memorable life. She lived to be 101 years old and credited her longevity to starting her day with oatmeal and ending it with a bowl of strawberry ice cream. The daughter of Italian immigrants, Leonardo and Maria DeBellis, Teresa grew up during the Great Depression and graduated from Central High School in 1938 where she was Valedictorian.  She met her loving husband, Jim in 1942 while they worked together at Curtis Wright.  They married in 1943 prior to Jim’s deployment to WWII and remained happily married for 65 years. Although she was born before women had the right to vote, she took an active interest in politics and cast her first vote for FDR. She retired from the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation in Plan Review. Teresa loved all things Italian, enjoyed traveling, loved angels and collecting bells from all over the world.  She was a kind hearted, generous and faithful devout Catholic who prayed the rosary daily. Most of all she loved her family and strived to instill strong Christian values. On her 100th birthday, her grandson, Fr. Jonathan Smith, presented her with a pearl rosary gifted to her from Pope Francis. She was a loving and devoted mother survived by her children Patricia Murphy, Mike (Hilda) Murphy, Marty (Marianne) Murphy and Mary (Michael) Smith. Preceded in death by her loving husband, Jim and oldest son, Daniel Murphy, sister Rose VanPelt, brothers Anthony, Michael, Martin and Joseph DeBellis. She was the much loved and adored grandmother to Stephanie Edmonds, Adam Murphy, Stephen Murphy, Mike (Stephanie) Murphy, Andy (Jennifer) Murphy, Kate (Brett) Thomas, Teresa (Nate) Walsh, Emily (Mike) Mitchell, Mathew (Paige) Murphy, Elizabeth Murphy, Kate Murphy, Zach (Niki) Kerscher, Brittany (Mike) Stockdale, Madison (Kenny) Moutin, James (Nicole) Flaherty, Jennifer (Andrew) Katz, Fr. Jonathan Smith and Michael Smith; 30 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild and many nieces and nephews; Sister-in-laws Kathleen Stokes and Betty Murphy. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. Many thanks to the kind and compassionate care she received from the staff at Ohio Health Hospice.  Family and friends may attend visiting hours on Friday, September 24 from 4:00-7:00pm at Egan Ryan Funeral Home, 4661 Kenny Rd.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Jonathan Smith on Saturday, September 25 at 10:00am at St. Timothy Church, 1077 Thomas Lane where Teresa was a founding member. Masks will be required at both events. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish may contribute in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).

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