Kathie “Bubbie” (Shea) Murphy

Kathleen "Kathie" Shea Murphy (Bubbie) went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 1, 2023 while surrounded by her loving family.

Kathie was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on September 18, 1945. Although she traveled the world as a military wife, and ultimately settled in Georgia, New England always had a special place in her heart, especially during the Fall season when the trees display their colorful leaves. Kathie touched countless lives with her many acts of kindness and charity. A newspaper article
from 2001 detailing her many works for special needs children began with the following quote
from the Bible "What is done for the least of these, is done for me". The writer went on to say that while this might be one of the most well known quotes, for Kathie it is a script for how she approaches her life with every breath she takes . Her decision to raise Matt, her son born with Downs syndrome, despite medical advice at the time urging her to place him in an institution,
would set the stage for a lifelong passion to serve the disabled community.
Kathie became the outreach worker for St. Philips Episcopal Church and assisted families in
need throughout the county. Her favorite activity in this capacity was organizing the Christmas
outreach. The church congregation would adopt families referred from DFCS for the holidays.
Through coordinating volunteer donations and services, Kathie made sure that every child had a holiday meal, presents from Santa, and a Christmas tree complete with lights and decorations. The trees were donated by Brewer's Christmas Tree farm, where she, Matt and
her family carefully chose their own tree every year.
Another cause dear to Kathie's heart was her volunteer work with Special Olympics. She served on the board as treasurer for over 25 years and was responsible for helping to bring the games to Fort Stewart so that participants and their families did not have to travel across the state to compete. One of her most cherished memories was a family trip to the International Summer Special Olympics Games in July of 1995. It was even more meaningful to Kathie as it was held in Connecticut, her birthplace and home for many years. 
Kathie was the owner of Kathie’s Tots, a home daycare in Fleming. Prior to her move to Fleming, she operated a daycare in Columbus. In order to operate the daycare, she had to return to school, attending Columbus College and Columbus Area Vocational Technical School.
She obtained her certifications attending school in the evening after operating the daycare all day. As a single parent, this allowed her to simultaneously earn a living and care for her own young children. She also served as the sign language coordinator for Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville. Kathie was preceded in death by her beloved son, Mathew "Matt” Adrian Murphy, her father, Francis Mathew Shea, her mother, Emileen Doran Shea, her sister, Carole E. Shea, and her brothers, James M. Shea and Larry F. Shea.

Kathie is survived by her children, Ellen (Rudy) Palombi, Julie (Darren) Rhodes, Jill Perdue, Robert (Victoria) Murphy, and Amy (Charlie) Mason, 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, extended family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to St. Philips Episcopal Church, Discretionary Fund, in Hinesville.

A celebration of life to honor Kathie will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 11:00 am at  St. Philips Episcopal Church in Hinesville..

Thomas.L Carter  Funeral Home, Flemington, is handling arrangements.
 

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