Margaret Murphy

Margaret Theresa Newman Murphy, 55, of Sioux City, passed away on Nov. 26, 2016, at her home.
Memorial services will be 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Michael Erpelding officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Maggie was born on Nov. 30, 1960, in Sioux City, the daughter of Raymond W. Murphy and Marilyn O. (Delaney) Murphy. She lived in Sioux City most of her life and attended Bishop Heelan Catholic High School, Briar Cliff College, and the University of South Dakota, where she received her master's degree in American history after writing her thesis on notable women of Sioux City.
She continued in education as a teacher of theology at Dowling Catholic School in Des Moines and then Bishop Heelan Catholic High School. At Heelan, Maggie taught an honors class about the Holocaust which was inspired by a fellowship she received from the Jewish Federation. She traveled to Poland and the concentration camps and then to Israel. Maggie said this was one of the most powerful experiences of her life. She activated her learning by facilitating the Prejudice Elimination Workshop also sponsored by the Jewish Federation. In 2000, she became a special education teacher with the Sioux City Community Schools and later at West High, and through her love of kids, her wit and her stick-to-itness, she helped countless students with special needs to graduate and become productive members of society.
Irish wit was central to Maggie's personality. A practical joke was not above her. Students and teachers were buoyed by her sense of humor and quick mind. She might order two dozen donuts and put another teacher's name on it and send it collect to the school. One time she removed all the pictures and memorabilia of the Green Bay Packers from a colleague's room. However, the joke was on her because the cameras at the school caught her in the act. Maggie thought that was hilarious. She never shied away from a joke on herself, either.
Maggie was also devoted to her family and one of the things she did that she was most proud of was care for her mother in their own home following Marilyn's severe stroke until her mother's death. Maggie stayed with her mother night and day when she was not teaching. She did this with joy and she loved giving back to her mother a little of what Marilyn had given her. She always humbly said, "Mom made me look good" when she referred to this time.
Maggie's wit, wisdom, kindness and generosity will be deeply missed and remembered by all who knew her.
Maggie is survived by her brother, Tim Murphy of Rosalie, Neb.; her sister, Molly (Joe) Twohig of Dakota Dunes, S.D.; her aunts, Sally (Bob) Earley and Paula Murphy; and her uncle, Brian Delaney. Her survivors also include a host of nephews, nieces, and cousins; and her dear friend, Beverly Weseman.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials may be made in Maggie's name to Women Aware, Counsel for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, or The Center.