In loving memory of
Georgia Murphy
May 17, 1924 - February 21, 2023
Georgia Murphy
ROCHESTER - Georgia Lillian Stieler Murphy, at the age of 98, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2023 in Rochester, NY. She was predeceased by her husband of 37 years, Edward J Murphy; parents, Lillian & George Stieler; sister, Esther Champlin; and grandson, Christopher M Knowles.
She was born in Syracuse, NY and spent her early youth on her German immigrant father's farm tending various crops and animals. She began her school years in a one room schoolhouse. The family eventually moved to Auburn, NY where she attended Lincoln School and East High School. Her musical life began there - studying piano, trumpet, and drums. At the age of 12, she was the official bugler for Girl Scouts ceremonies. She was well known for her excellence as a trumpeter, and she played many recitals for Auburn Morning Musicals and services at Auburn State Prison. She was a gold card member of the International Musicians Union. While in high school, her parents bought her a Slingerland drum set, and she toured that area in an all-girl dance band. In the summer, she attended the Ernest Williams Music camp in the Catskills for trumpet. After graduation, she moved to Brooklyn, NY to study at the Ernest Williams Music School where she met her future husband. Georgia was a graduate of the Eastman School of Music in 1947 with a degree in Music Education studying trumpet with Patee Evenson and percussion with Bill Street. She played principal trumpet under Fred Fennell. She also played with the Montreal Women's Symphony, the Auburn Vochestra, and recitals at Cornell University among other locations. She and her husband were members and featured soloists with the Auburn Civic Band.
Her teaching career took her many places but ended up on the Auburn Public School System. She also taught privately in her home and was a Junior Choir Director at First Presbyterian Church. After her husband's passing and her retirement, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and participated in music at Palms Presbyterian Church. She continued her love of music and teaching until she moved to Rochester, NY. She loved to read, play bridge, garden, and spend time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her love of music passed on to her entire family. She loved attending concerts at Eastman, Jacksonville Symphony, the Rochester Philharmonic, and the Hochstein School.
She is survived by her two daughters, Kathleen Murphy (Randy) Kemp, Eileen Murphy (Mark) Knowles; grandchildren, Megan (Jason Barth) Kemp, Michael (Anna) Kemp, Emily (Victor Martinez) Knowles, Richard Knowles; great grandchildren, Cadence & Connor Kemp-Barth, and Liam, Ethan, & Liliana Martinez; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
We wish to express our deep appreciation to the staff of the Villages at Unity and especially the caregivers at St. Ann's-Wegman Care Center for their loving care of our mom.
Visiting hours will be held on March 14 from 4-7PM at Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home at 1411 Vintage Lane in Rochester. Her memorial service will be held on March 15 at 11AM at the funeral home, with burial to follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Auburn, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in honor of Edward and Georgia Murphy to the Hochstein School of Music at 50 North Plymouth Avenue, Rochester, NY 14614.