Anne Lark Murphy of Blauvelt, NY died peacefully on September 8th in New Haven, Connecticut. She was 90 years old.

Born in Flushing Queens, on April 27, 1934, to parents, homemaker Florence (Fagan) Lark and undertaker Laurence Lark, Anne and her adoring and precocious brother Bobby resided with their parents for their entire childhood above the funeral home. This was the backdrop for numerous colorful stories of their youth and a shared sense of quirky humor resulting in hours long "remember that time" phone calls loaded with laughter until her dying days.

After marriage to her loving husband, NYC police office of almost 60 years, John 'Buddy' Murphy, the family moved to Blauvelt with their three young children Patricia, John and Michael in 1963 where she remained for the last 60 years of her life, in the home she loved, her happy place on Hayes Street. That home was a drop in center for friends of all ages, races, sizes, shapes and denominations. Anne did not discriminate. If you pulled into her driveway, or knew someone she knew, you were a new friend. And if you became a new family member, or got really lucky and dropped by at the right time, you got a taste of the best meatballs in Blauvelt. Everyone said so.

Throughout many health challenges and the unthinkable personal tragedy of losing her youngest son Michael, Anne astounded friends and family by her ability to persevere and remain positive, resilient and faithful. Whether having to navigate in a body cast or lay sideways to get into her driver's seat, she made a conscious choice to stay busy and active in her community advocating for Veterans rights and services, entertaining nursing home residents, volunteering in her church and engaging in countless other community endeavors. Although she lived with a disability, it never became a liability. Anne woke with the early birds, whistled her way into the kitchen and, since she was often alone in her later years, made sure she had some breakfast for the fattest squirrels in the neighborhood. Then, she was off to the gym, much to the slight embarrassment of her children and grandchildren who were hard pressed to find excuses to stay home.

During the long stretches of time when she was isolated due to inability to get out, her phone was her connection to the outside world. That phone and those connections became her legacy because everyone she met was a contact, and every contact became a friend. Everyone she called felt special, and although she was not the biggest fan of technology, Anne was eager to have her grandchildren teach her to text, and she quickly mastered that and even FaceTime to stay close to her family and friends, only needing occasional prompting to "press the button and hang up"! Anne kept a calendar just so she never forgot anyone's special days, wanting to celebrate with everyone, to be part of whatever happiness was to be had, to know where you were or going or who you were with. When she was homebound during her last days and asked what she needed, her reply was simply, "Cards. I need to have cards for people's birthdays or anniversaries or if something comes up". Anne didn't just live life, she devoured it. She did not just love her family, she adored them, showering each offspring with gentle butterfly kisses and endless love. Anne Murphy did everything with grit, gusto and great cheer and will be deeply missed by so many hearts she touched.

In addition to her husband of 59 years, Anne is predeceased by her son Michael Murphy, daughter-in-law Tricia Kennedy Murphy, sister-in-law Mary Regan and brother-in-law Robert Murphy.

Anne is survived by her brother Robert Lark and his wife Caryl, daughter Patricia Murphy Urban, son John Murphy and his wife Vicki, nieces and nephews Michel Lark, Regina Lark, Derryn Grey, Angela Lark, Joan Neher, John Regan, Robert Regan and their partners and children. She also leaves behind cherished grandchildren Caitlin Gertsev and her husband Raimond, Krista Murphy, Riley Murphy, Michael Murphy and his wife Tara, Grace Delahanty and her husband Steven, Kristen Urban and her wife Ciera Harris, Juliana Urban, Mary Kate Urban and Kevin Urban and her little rays of sunshine, great-grandchildren Patrick and Seamus Sullivan, Henry and Sophia Gertsev, Hayes and Weston Murphy and Cormac Delahanty.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to support the Nam Knights, Hudson Valley Chapter, P.O. Box 263, West Nyack, New York 10994.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 11th from 5-8pm at Moritz Funeral Home in Tappan. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 12th at 10am at St. Catharine's Church, 523 Western Highway, Blauvelt NY.

Private burial to follow.