Catherine "Cathy" S. (Strawser Portzline) Murphy

Catherine S. Murphy

Newport, PA

Catherine “Cathy” S. Murphy, 72, of Newport, entered into rest at 9:06 p.m., Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Carolyn Croxton Slane Hospice, Harrisburg.

She was born May 22, 1952, in Sunbury, a daughter of the late Esther (Strawser) Portzline. In 1956, Esther married her husband, Alfred Portzline, and together they raised Cathy. In 1971, Cathy married Emory “Jack” Murphy who preceded her in death March 3, 2012.

Cathy was a 1970 graduate of East Juniata High School.

She started working in Mengle’s Nursing Home when she was 16 years old. Cathy later worked at Blough and Wagner, Middleburg. She worked with senior citizens in their homes. In 1990, she went to work for CPARC, in a group home at Montebello, Duncannon. Cathy worked there for 22 years, before retiring in 2012. In 2013, she began part-time work for UCP, in Loysville. In 2022, Cathy returned to CPARC part-time, until her health forced her to officially retire in January 2025.

Cathy enjoyed reading her bible, listening to Southern gospel, spending time with her family and friends, and helping them whenever she could.

She is survived by three daughters, Yvonne (Stephen) Moyer of Newport, Sheri Murphy and her companion Vaughn Snyder of Millerstown, and Jacqueline Murphy of Newport; five grandchildren, Adam (Kayla) Murphy, Aron (Stephanie) Murphy, Lexie Murphy, Ashleigh Moyer, and Cody Moyer; four great-grandchildren, Jacob, Levi, Ava, and Jackson; one brother, Anthony “AB” (Debra) Portzline; one sister-in-law, Beatrice (James) Myers; several nephews; and her beloved cat, Maxwell.

In addition to her husband of 41 years and her parents, she was preceded in death by one son in infancy, Craig; one daughter in infancy, Kimberly; and her grandparents, David and Rhoda Strawser.

Family and friends are welcome to a graveside service on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in Dressler’s Ridge Cemetery, 4180 Dressler Ridge Rd., Mt. Pleasant Mills, PA 17853.

Arrangements are by George P. Garman Funeral Homes, Inc., 606 N. Front St., Liverpool, PA 17045.