Carol Murphy

Carol Ann Murphy was born to Geno and Virginia Saccomanno in St. Louis, Missouri, while her father was still in medical school.  She grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado and graduated from Loretto Heights College in Denver with a Bachelor of Arts degree.  She taught English and French at Bookcliff Middle School.

She met Bob Murphy on a blind date on St. Patrick's Day in 1967 and they married that December.  They had two children, Gena and Thomas.  She left her teaching career to raise her children and care for her family, and began a lifelong dedication to community service.  In 2012 she was recognized by the Western Colorado Community Foundation with a "Heart of Gold Award" for her extensive commitment to volunteering and supporting many different charitable organizations.  One of her great passions was serving as co-manager of the Wooden Horse Gift Shop at St. Mary's Hospital for over 30 years.  She also worked on many projects for Catholic Outreach and especially loved the Empty Bowls fundraiser, benefitting their soup kitchen.  Over the years she served on many boards including Aspinall Foundation, Diocese of Pueblo Foundation, St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary, Grand Junction Symphony, Marillac Clinic, Grand Valley Peace and Justice, American Cancer Society and the Community Food Bank.  Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish was a second home for her where she served on many committees and ministries.  She considered it a privilege to continue the work her parents started with the Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation.  She was very proud of the positive impact the scholarships had on the lives of students and their families.  Not only did she personally enjoy her community service, she was a great volunteer recruiter for many of these worthy causes.  She had an amazing ability to bring out the best in everyone she met and quickly recognized their special gifts and talents.

Her generosity and kindness were boundless and her loving spirit touched the lives of all who crossed her path.   She was faithful, loving and loyal as a daughter, wife, mother and friend.  Words are inadequate to express her sincerity and compassion.

Her family would like to extend their appreciation for the wonderful care she received from The Commons, Colorow in Olathe, and HopeWest.

She is survived by her husband, Bob, children, Gena (John) Cooper and Thomas (Jennifer) Murphy, grandsons, Gavin and Parker, her sisters, Lenna (Steve) Watson and Linda (Steve) Siedow and their families, and many cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, Geno and Virginia Saccomanno.

A Service of Remembrance will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022, at 4 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in the Day Chapel with the Funeral Mass and Inurnment to follow on Monday, April 25, 2022, at 10 a.m. also at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 790 26 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, CO.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Carol's most beloved charities:  Catholic Outreach, 245 S. 1st Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501; HopeWest, 3090 N. 12th Street #B, Grand Junction, CO 81506; or Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation, c/o Alpine Bank Wealth Management, P.O. Box 1150, Grand Junction, CO 81502.