Ida Mae Murphy

Ida Mae Kirkpatrick Murphy, 96, of Latrobe, most recently Ligonier, passed away Monday, Oct. 28, 2013, in Bethlen Home, Ligonier Township. Born Dec. 10, 1916, in Wilkins Township, Allegheny County, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Myrtle May (Hall) Kirkpatrick. She was a retired school teacher, volunteer as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and a member of Latrobe Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses. Ida was what is referred to in her church as a "pioneer." Several days each week for most of her adult life she would call on people at their homes. When she found someone who wanted to learn more about the Bible she would return each week to teach them. This was never done for money; in fact, Ida covered the expense of using her car, etc. to do this volunteer work. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John C. Murphy, and three brothers, Robert, Thomas and Clarence Kirkpatrick. She is survived by nine nieces and nephews, Ruth Duessel (David - deceased), Mary Wilk (Karl), Carol Messner (Donald), Robert Kirkpatrick (Debra), Clarence Kirkpatrick (Bernadine) June Gratter (John), David Kirkpatrick (Nancy), Anne Tavener (Ray) and Keith Kirkpatrick (Kathy); a sister-in-law, Patricia Kirkpatrick (Clarence - deceased), and a cousin, Donald Montgomery. Visitation will be 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, in Frederick Funeral Home Inc., 1543 Ligonier St., Latrobe. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Latrobe Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses, 549 Charles Houck Road, Unity Township. Private burial will be in Church Hill Cemetery, Turtle Creek. Memorial contributions may be made to Worldwide Work of Jehovah's Witnesses (www.jw.org). To send condolences, please visit www.FrederickFuneralHome.com.