1944-2025
Judith Ann (Clifton) Murphy, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, gi gi, sister and friend, peacefully passed away at the age of 81 on Sept. 5, 2025, after a brief but courageous battle with aggressive liver cancer. Surrounded by her loving family at her home in Menlo, Judy’s legacy of love, kindness and service to others will forever be cherished.
Born June 11, 1944, in Jefferson to Todd “Red” and Darlene (Batcheller) Clifton, Judy was raised in Stuart and graduated from Stuart High School in 1962. On Nov. 10, 1963, she married Gene Murphy, and together they built a family. Judy and Gene were blessed with three children: Jodie, Marty and Tricia. The family spent 14 years on a farm located between Stuart and Menlo on County Line Road before moving to a ranch north of Menlo in 1979, better known as “Fort Menlo” to family members.
Judy’s passion for beauty and service to others led her to the Americanna Academy of Beauty of Des Moines, where she graduated in 1963 and went on to work at Ceila Reynold’s beauty shop in Menlo. She eventually opened her own beauty shop, Judy’s Country Curl, in her home. During her time as a beautician, she created lasting friendships with many loyal customers who quickly became her close friends. In addition to her work in beauty, Judy also spent years working in the office at the Stuart Sale Barn, where she greeted everyone with a smile and handled tickets and transactions. Many commented on her beautiful penmanship. She made so many fun memories and friendships with coworkers, business owners, local farmers and their wives. She enjoyed contributing her time to the Menlo Parks and Recreation, organizing Easter Egg Hunts and Christmas activities for local children, leaving an enduring legacy of joy in her community. Judy’s spirited nature earned her one of the most recent notable achievements, winning the World Title for Husband Calling during the Menlo Sesquicentennial celebration in 2019, with her own version of yelling “GeeeeeeeNE!!!” During that same celebration, Gene and Judy enjoyed dancing, as that was a favorite pastime.
An avid gardener, Judy took great pride in her flower beds and loved to share her plants with family and friends. Her love for canning was unmatched, and her shelves were always stocked with jars of pickles, jams, salsa, peaches, pears, applesauce, horseradish and more. These delicious gifts were shared far and wide to family, friends and neighbors. Judy poured her love and care into each jar, a testament to her nurturing spirit.
Above all, Judy’s greatest joy in life was her family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an unwavering source of love, encouragement and pride for them all. She was especially grateful for her daily phone calls from her grandson, Hayden, checking in after school.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Todd and Darlene Clifton; mother-in-law, Margret (Jessop) Murphy; father-in-law, Rex Murphy; brother-in-law, Jack Deskin; sister-in-law, Joy (Murphy) Bassett; brother-in-law, Don Bassett; sister-in-law, Marilyn (O’Mara) Murphy; and brother-in-law, Bob Edgington.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Gene Murphy; her children, Jodie (Roger) Riche of Junction City, Kansas, Marty Murphy of Dawson, and Tricia (Dustin) Foster of Stuart; her grandchildren, Micheal (Renae) Riche, Kristina Riche (Didi Dautovic), Louden Foster, Ashlynn Foster and Hayden Foster; her great-grandchildren, Hunter, Lilee, Daveion, Mikel, Riley and Kyson; her sisters, Sheryl Deskin of Des Moines, Marilyn (Jack) Matthews of Stuart, and Georgia (Denny) Coon of Haines City, Florida; her sisters-in-law, Dixie Murphy of St. Charles and Faye (Murphy) Edgington of Casey; her brothers-in-law, Keith Murphy of St. Charles and Leo Murphy of Prescott Valley, Arizona, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews.
For those lucky enough to know Judy, they know she was one of a kind with a generous heart and a good laugh. Judy’s love for hair curlers, kindness, generosity, free-spoken candid comments, and dedication to her family and community will be deeply missed by all who knew her. A celebration of life service will be held at the Menlo Community Building on Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow.