Dorothy Murphy

Dorothy Louise Veronica Smith Janiss Murphy, born at home, January 26, 1930 Chicago, Illinois. Died peacefully at home, February 5, 2020 Loveland, Colorado. First born daughter of Lavern Morely and Mary Catherine Smith (nee Moran), big sister to Geraldiine Evelyn and Charlotte Anne. Dorothy grew up in the Jefferson Park neighborhood on the northwest side of Chicago. She graduated William H. Taft High School and at the age of 22 married Mitchell Stanley Janiss and together they raised two daughters, Melissa RIley (Billy) and Laura Swearingen (Scott). Grandma to seven and great grandma, affectionately known as G.G., to three. Dorothy loved life and laughter. She put her best self forward every day, in every way. Dorothy lived lifelong friendships and especially loved New Year's Eve celebrations and family vacations, nieces and nephews, Book Club, weekly cards and morning swim club, travel, gourmet cooking and entertaining with family and friends. She was proud to be a member of the Roman Catholic Christian Family Movement in the 60's and met Martin Luther King Jr. A lifelong Democrat and advocate for children through the courts and committee work for Chicago Hearing Society for juveniles and The Children's Home and Aid Society. During her 25 year employment with Xerox Corporation, Dorothy was granted a year's absence with pay, to open an Illinois Action for Children office in LaGrange, Illinois. Dorothy was a trailblazer in her own right, having been sent home from her employment as executive assistant for a major corporate operating group, for wearing trousers. At 72 years of age, she enrolled at Roosevelt University Institute of Continued Learning, Schaumburg, Illinois where she continued to lead and organize. Dorothy was a resident and Community Ambassador with Brookdale assisted living and a member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Loveland. Dorothy had turned 90 this past month and celebrated in Royal style with her dear friends in the Brookdale community. It was Dorothy's wish to be cremated. We invite all who knew Dorothy to leave a message, a story, or just your name to celebrate her life. Dorothy was also a believer in philanthropy. Please consider a donation to your favorite charity in her name.   Remember Me   To the living, I am gone. To the sorrowful, I will never return. To the angry, I was cheated. But to the happy, I am at peace, and to the faithful I have never left. I cannot be seen, but I can be heard. So as you stand upon a shore, gazing at a beautiful sea - remember me. As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity - remember me. Remember me in your heart, your thoughts and your memories of the times we loved, the times we cried, the times we fought, the times we laughed. For if you always think of me, I will have never gone.   Margaret Mead No services to be held