11/24/2025
Barbara Ann Murphy died unexpectedly on November 11, 2025, at University of Toledo Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. at the age of 80.
She was born on September 8, 1945, in Mexico City, Mexico, where her parents, Richard and Alice Buckley, were stationed abroad during Richard's employment at Pan Am as a meteorologist. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her treasured younger brother, Robert Buckley.
Barbara met the father of her children, Paul Murphy, while attending Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. She always dreamed of finishing her undergraduate degree and attended classes at Miami University in that pursuit. She had several jobs over her working tenure but her fondest memories were from her job working at Didlake Inc., supporting adults with intellectual disabilities. That work led to providing devoted care to Bill Greaver, a friend, during his time of need. Together Barb and Paul had three children: Heather, Hope and Cindy. She was very proud of her daughters and grandchildren and valued her role of mother and grandmother above all other aspects of her life. She passed on her reverence for Mother Nature to her daughters as surely as she passed on her own DNA.
She is survived by her daughters: Heather Cleary of Bowling Green, Ohio; Hope McCaw of Woodbridge, Virginia; and Cindy Murphy Blomeley of Little Rock, Arkansas. She also leaves behind six grandchildren she loved beyond measure-Sarah, Skye, Alex, Terra, Sophie, and Benny. We are grateful that in her last moments she was with her son-in-law and dear friend, Maxwell Cleary.
Barbara lived a life rooted in care, creativity, and curiosity. She enjoyed gardening, art, reading, and the simple joy of tending to the living world around her. She appreciated her friendships and intellectual companionships through her book club. She cared for a menagerie of animals and an untold number of plants, loving them as precious gifts from God. She leaves behind four cherished cats: Claire, Red, Dude and Bebe.
She was a devout Presbyterian in faith, having served as a deacon at her former church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was a long-time member of Clifton Presbyterian Church in Clifton, Virginia. She continued to attend virtually until she found a welcoming congregation at Ohio Living Swan Creek's chapel.
Her family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Ohio Living for giving their mother a contented-though tragically short-final chapter. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Ohio Living Swan Creek's Life Care Fund to support other residents with reassurance that they remain in their home. Barb's family invites people to write a special memory or observation about her and email csmurphyink@gmail.com.
There will be a memorial in Virginia, where she spent a majority of her life, at a later date.
