Obituary: Beverly Elizabeth Murphy

Beverly Elizabeth Murphy (June 26, 1944 – November 4, 2024)

Beverly Elizabeth Murphy, born on June 26, 1944, at Marianna Army Air Base in Marianna, Fla., passed peacefully on November 4, 2024, at the home of her daughter. Beverly was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, friend, and social worker whose life was marked by faith, kindness, and service to others.

Beverly’s life was one of accomplishment and compassion. She was a graduate of Wayne Memorial High School in 1962, she earned her teaching certificate from Eastern Michigan University in 1967, and later completed a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University in 1977. Her career spanned West Virginia, Ohio, and Michigan, where she served as a social worker with deep commitment and professionalism. Most of her career was spent in Emmet County, Mich., where she served as a protective services worker, tirelessly advocating for the well-being of children and the elderly. Her work extended to licensing and evaluating foster homes and nursing homes, where her caring spirit and integrity benefitted many.

Beverly’s professional career as a social worker was distinguished by her fierce advocacy for children, especially those with special needs residing in foster care. During her early 1970s tenure in Columbus, Ohio, she observed that many foster children with special needs were not being adopted due to the potential loss of medical coverage and financial support. Recognizing this as a barrier to their well-being, Beverly lobbied tirelessly for legislation that would allow these crucial benefits to continue after adoption. This policy enabled special needs children to receive medical and financial care while gaining the security of a permanent family. Beverly’s legacy as a social worker continues to impact lives, as an updated version of the law she helped launch remains in effect in Ohio today.

As part of her advocacy, Beverly appeared on local news weekly, showcasing children in need of loving homes. Her heartfelt presentations led to every featured child finding an adoptive family. Beverly’s professional efforts were acts of social and economic justice, improving lives and creating opportunities for some of society’s most vulnerable.

A woman of faith and generosity, Beverly will be remembered for her kindness, intelligence, and love of cooking and sharing meals with others. Beverly served the underserved, loved the unloved, and stood by the underdog in a time when such advocacy was groundbreaking. Her compassionate spirit was evident in every aspect of her life, from her personal relationships to her professional contributions.

She is survived by her beloved children, Todd Thorpe (fiancée Pehgi Swenor) and Susan (Randy) Hitts. She was the cherished grandmother of Angela Hitts, Teresa (Nathan) Cardino, Sarah Hitts, Elise Hitts, David Hitts, and Karter Hitts. She enjoyed being great-grandmother to Damon, Gracelynn, Libby, and Asher Cardino. Beverly also treasured her five nephews, Steve (Jackie), Eric, Tommy, Joey, and Chris Thorpe. She held her extended family and cousins close, counting them among her dearest friends. Her family also included her adored Brittany dogs, with whom she shared her home and heart over the years: Britt, Bucky, Fritz, Ace, and Jack.

Beverly was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Murphy; her mother, Nola (née Ellinger) Murphy; and her brother, Tommy Murphy; as well as many uncles, aunts, and cousins. Beverly was also preceded in death by ex-husband, Dan Thorpe, who remained significant in her life for over 70 years.

A funeral service celebrating Beverly’s life will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 1 pm, at Manchester United Methodist Church in Manchester, Mich., where her daughter, Rev. Susan Hitts, is currently appointed. The service will be officiated by her son-in-law, Pastor Randy Hitts. Beverly will be laid to rest in Emmet County in June 2025 in a ceremony honoring her love for the place where she devoted so much of her life’s work.

In honor of Beverly’s memory, the family suggests that memorials may be given to Manchester United Methodist Church, an organization dedicated to saving the bees, or a Brittany dog-rescue organization.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.