Elizabeth Murphy Dycus
February 28, 1951 – May 3, 2026

Mary was the second child born to Agatha Murphy (nee Carson) and the first child of Elmer Whelan Murphy Sr. She was born in Chicago on February 28 1951.

Mary graduated from Lakeview High School in Chicago in 1969. Later in life she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University.

Mary held a variety of clerical jobs, including accounts receivable for Edward Don and Thybony Wallcoverings, receptionist and unit clerk at Martha Washington and Chicago Lakeview Hospitals, and Office Manager for Ralla Klepak and Associates and League of Women Voters Chicago, Cook County, and Illinois.

She married Gerald Dycus, with whom she had one child, Barbara, on April 20 1974.

Mary’s second marriage was with Cindi Knox, whom she met in April of 1989, had a Holy Union in April of 1999, and was legally married in November of 2013. They owned a house in Joliet from 2004 to 2018, and moved to Eureka in 2018 when Cindi was called to United Congregational Christian Church as their pastor.

People often talked about how Mary had a loving spirit and the gift of hospitality, making people feel welcome. She was a creative person, painting in watercolor, tempera, and oil; crocheting; macrame; sewing; plastic canvas, and other crafts. She was also an amateur photographer, enjoying landscape photography.

Mary enjoyed growing plants, indoors and outdoors, and for a while had flower and vegetable gardens. She enjoyed softball until she injured a knee while playing the position of catcher. She also enjoyed bowling.

Mary is survived by her brothers Elmer W. Murphy II and William Murphy, her sister Katherine Valles, Cindi Knox, her wife of 37 years, her daughter Barbara Heisler, her grandchildren Elizabeth Miner and Chase Heisler, great-grandchildren Hunter Oliveri and Mason Oliveri, and her cats Zsa Zsa and Eva.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer Whelan Murphy Sr. and Agatha Murphy (nee Carson), brother Samuel Murphy and sister Vera Rodriquez, former husband Gerald Dycus, great-granddaughter Zola Robin Allen, and many pets.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on May 30 at United Congregational Christian Church, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka CA 95503.

A second celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on July 18 at Peace Memorial Church, 10300 W 131st St, Palos Park, IL 60464.