Erin Barbara Murphy

Erin Barbara Murphy, age 76, a resident of Fort Scott, died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at the Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott. She was born March 22, 1933, in Norfolk, Neb., the daughter of Cecil E. Murphy and Harriett E. Walters Murphy. Erin graduated from the Fort Scott High School in 1951. She then graduated from the Nebraska Wesleyan University of Lincoln, Neb. She later received her master's degree in psychology from Pittsburg State University. Erin married Robert D. Benz on December 27, 1962. He preceded her in death. In her earlier years, Erin worked as an actress both in New York City and California. She later worked as a psychologist for the Nevada Habilitation Center for more than 30 years. Erin was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Order of Eastern Star and the Delta Zeta Sorority.

Erin was the last of her family. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her mother, father, and stepfather, Virgil "Brownie" Brown.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Madison, Neb. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Fort Scott Community College Endowment Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.cheneywitt.com.