Beverly Yvonne (Criswell) Murphy

What we once enjoyed and deeply loved, we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.                                                                                                                                                                                           

Beverly Yvonne Criswell Murphy passed away peacefully at home on Laurel Hill Road, Milan, PA on October 18, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 13, 1936, the daughter of Charles and Maude Rayhorne Criswell. Beverly is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, William Murphy.

She was a graduate of Montoursville High School and Elmira College, with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources and Phycology.

Beverly worked for BLAST Intermediate Unit 17, Guthrie Clinic and as a Caseworker for Bradford County Children and Youth Services. She was also co-owner of the Country Peddler in Towanda, with her daughter Jeannie Murphy.

She was a proud and lifelong Democrat. Beverly was a member of the Athens Unitarian Universalist Church.

Family vacations were important to Beverly, Lake Placid in the winter and Cape Cod in June. In recent years, the gatherings were at the family cottage on Seneca Lake, NY.

Beverly’s happiest times were spent close to nature, hiking the trails on the family farm with her dogs, in all seasons. She spent many hours watching birds at her feeders.

She is also survived by her daughter Bonnie Bryan of Sayre, PA, Kathy Murphy-Strong (Denis) of Sayre, PA, Jeannie Murphy of Milan, PA, Patti Murphy of Gillett, PA, grandson Will Bryan of Canton, PA, sister Patricia Criswell Karge of Montoursville, PA, brothers-in-laws Joseph Bud Murphy (Bessie) of Nesbit, PA and Ed Murphy of Geneva, NY, several nieces and nephews, and her faithful companion, her beloved dog Misty.

Besides her parents, she is preceded by her sister A. Jean Stine, brother C. Dale Criswell, sister-in-law Angie Criswell, brother-in-law Harold Karge, and nephew Skip Stine.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. The family is being assisted by Lowery-Urban Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Athens, PA.

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