In the afternoon of January 19th 2023, Ms. Mary Jo Murphy, formerly of Fern Creek, KY, peacefully passed away under the care of Hosparus following her struggle with dementia.   Mary Jo was born March 16, 1936 to Margaret and Joseph Clayton.  Margaret returned to Louisville with Mary Jo and her sister (Emma Jean) and raised them with the assistance of her father (Willard L. Scott).   Mary Jo graduated from Manual High School in 1956 and was proud to be in the first co-ed class.  She formed & nurtured lifelong friendships while at Manual and the girls would get together often throughout their lives.  She was also a life-long member of the Fern Creek Methodist Church where she was very involved with United Methodist Women Group, quilting group, and other church organizations.

While still in high school Mary Jo landed a position at GE Appliance Park and worked there as a marketing technician for 39 years.  Mary Jo loved working at GE and retired early so she could spend more time with her husband, William (Bill) G. Murphy, who was battling Huntington's.   She met the love of her life, Bill Murphy, while taking night courses at U of L.  They married and bought a home in Fern Creek, KY where Mary Jo stayed for over 60 years.   Bill was diagnosed with Huntington's in the late 70's and Mary Jo and Bill spent as much time as they could seeing the beauty in the world, they especially enjoyed the State Parks of Kentucky and Tennessee.   Mary Jo was a phenomenal organizer and worked many hours to help with the Huntington's Foundation of Kentucky and in many roles at the Fern Creek Methodist Church.  Mary Jo served as one of the lead organizers of the Huntington's Kentucky Chapter and was active with the group up to the time her sister EJ became ill with dementia in 2011.   Mary Jo worked as a volunteer, Chapter Treasure, Secretary and President over a 40 year period.  Helping the patients & families meant a great deal to Mary Jo.   In her final years she still held on to hope that an effective treatment or cure for Huntington's would be found in her life time.

When Mary Jo was a resident at Clarity Point Memory Care (later Thrive @ Beckley Creek) May Jo enjoyed making new friends and visiting with her lifelong friend who was also a recent resident.   To all those that could visit Mary Jo when she was a resident in the Memory Care facility, your fellowship was greatly appreciated.

Mary Jo was proceeded in death by her husband, Mr. William 'Bill' Murphy, loving sister, Emma Jean Allen and her mother Margaret Ryan.  She is survived by her nieces and nephews, Greg Allen, Chris Allen (Sara), Joe B. Allen (Cindy), George Allen III MD (Paula), Kathleen Allen, Michael Murphy (ShihChi Wu) and Karen Murphy.

Her Funeral is 4:00 PM EST  Friday, January 27, 2023 at Fern Creek Funeral Home, 5406 Bardstown Road with private burial in Resthaven Cemetery.  Visitation is after 2:00PM EST on Friday until the time of the service.