Susan passed into the Great Beyond surrounded with love and music, under the excellent care of St. Michael's Palliative staff on January 29th, 2025. She leaves behind her loving daughter Madeleine, sisters Sharon and Holly, brother Thomas (Darlene), nieces Alicia (César) and Samantha (Jarod), and nephews Nick (Carrilyn) and Mitchell. She was a proud Grand Aunt to Nick and Carrilyn's two daughters Claire and Josephine, and to Samantha and Jarod's son Boaz. She is predeceased by her parents Jean Murphy (nee Trainor) and Harry Murphy, her brother Franklyn Murphy, and her sister Sandra Murphy.

Susan threw herself into anything she did with authenticity and gusto. This included her Bachelor's Degree in Child Psychology, her Master's Degree in Education, her work at Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, and her role as Administrative Manager at both the University of Toronto's Institute for Life Course and Aging and the Toronto Region Statistics Canada Research Data Centre.

Music was a huge part of Susan's life. She played Glockenspiel in the Burlington Teen Tour Band during their triumph as the only Canadian competitors to win a prestigious American Teen Tour Band competition. She was an accomplished soprano vocalist devoted to learning classical, jazz, folk, and swing, joining various musical groups throughout her life. In the 1980s she lent her dulcet tones to the vocal trio The Spadina Sisters, who busked in Toronto's Yorkville and St. James Park, played the Brunswick House, and were later accepted into the Mariposa Festival. She was a cherished member of the Toronto Mendelssohn choir for many years, and was sought out for weddings, parties, and church services as a solo vocalist. When her sister Sandy fell ill with cancer, Susan travelled between cities each weekend to take care of her while working full-time, later moving in as her primary caregiver. After Sandy died, Susan devoted herself to cycling for the Marie Curie's 'Malin to Mizen' palliative care charity ride across Ireland - sometimes training for over 100km per day in rain-soaked gear. When her mother Jean also became ill with cancer during the pandemic, Susan moved in with her and slept on a living room couch in her one bedroom apartment to take care of her - while still working full-time. She was a kind, optimistic, angelic and positive presence, with nary a cruel bone in her body. She continues to be beloved by everyone touched by her sweet personality, shining smile, infectious laugh, and generous spirit. She will be profoundly missed.

Susan and her family would like to extend a special note of thanks for the excellent medical care she received from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre staff, especially her oncologist Dr. Sam Saibil, for his years of above-and-beyond responsiveness, advocacy, and dedication to her health and wellness.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of the many causes that were important to Susan. Below is a suggested list.

Poverty, Education, and Indigenous Rights Organizations:
Childhood Poverty Eradication: https://lovewithoutboundaries.in/
Community Schools of Music in Toronto: https://www.communitymusic.org/support
Na-Me-Res: https://www.nameres.org/donate/

Palliative Care Related Donations:
Marie Curie https://www.justgiving.com/mariecurie
St Michael's Palliative Care Unit: www.stmichaelsfoundation.com/SusanMurphy
The Carpenter Hospice: https://give.stratly.com/carpenter-hospice/campaigns/40600-in-memoriam

Animal Welfare: https://torontohumanesociety.donorsupport.co/page/Donations