Longtime community leader Murphy dies at 98

Longtime Flathead Valley community leader and local author Sylvia Murphy died of congestive heart failure Monday in Kalispell. She was less than a month shy of her 99th birthday.

Murphy and her husband, Jim, were active in numerous community activities through the decades. She was an early supporter of the Museum at Central School and the Conrad Mansion, continuing those interests throughout her life.

An avid traveler, Murphy was a founding member of the Friendship Force of the Flathead Valley, remaining active with the group even after she no longer was able to travel. For 65 years she was an active member of P.E.O. Chapter AB, a philanthropic women’s organization.

Her volunteer efforts ran the gamut. Murphy was a Girl Scout leader, a Sunday School teacher and a longtime blood donor with the American Red Cross. She was an active member of the Flathead County Republican Women and served on the board of directors for the Flathead County Library and Hockaday Museum of Art.

After moving to a home on Flathead Lake in 1978, Murphy delved into the history of Lakeside and wrote a book called “Stoner Creek and Beyond” that told the story of the community and its early settlers. Later she published a second book about a Lake Mary Ronan resort, titled “Follow the Fish to Camp Tuffit.”

Her writing followed the lead of her husband, a prominent Kalispell lawyer who wrote the well-known local history book, “Half Interest in a Silver Dollar” about the life of Kalispell pioneer Charles Conrad.

Murphy’s Lakeside history book, she said in a 2000 Inter Lake interview, “was all just fun. Everybody was so grateful to have their story told. Times were really tough in the Great Depression. Everybody in Lakeside got some form of assistance.”

She was especially sensitive to their plight because of her background in social work. One of her first jobs as a young woman was with the county welfare department.  

In addition to her myriad contributions to the community, it is Murphy’s personality, her passion for life and rapport with friends and acquaintances that many will remember.

“Her biggest legacy is teaching anyone who ever came in contact with her the importance of having friends of any age,” longtime friend Robin Bailey said. “She was a risk-taker who would roll up her sleeves and get to work on things ... She taught us to be very curious, to be interested in other people. She would genuinely be interested in getting to know someone.”

Amy Peterson met Murphy when she joined P.E.O. in 1994. She noted how Murphy encouraged others to try new experiences. Peterson marveled at Murphy’s ability to recall past events in great detail.

“Her wisdom comes from living a life of acquiring knowledge through education, travel and relating to people easily and readily,” Peterson wrote in a tribute to Murphy for her 98th birthday last March.

Dorothy Laird, a former Flathead County Library director, remembered how much Murphy supported and used the library.

“The community has lost a valuable asset,” Laird continued. “Whatever she participated in, she added graciousness and generosity.”

Longtime friend JoAnn Speelman Dramer also noted how caring Murphy was and how inquisitive and interested she was in others.

“Sylvia was one of the most gracious women I have ever known,” Dramer said, also noting Murphy’s uncanny ability to remember details of events long past. “I don’t think she ever forgot anything. Her recollection was just amazing.”

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.