Commissioner Joan Murphy dies at 79, fought cancer since 2012

SHARE Commissioner Joan Murphy dies at 79, fought cancer since 2012
jpm_2015_photo_1.jpg

Cook County Commissioner Joan Murphy died “very peacefully” in her Crestwood home Sunday morning after a years-long battle with breast cancer, her family said. | Provided photo

Cook County Commissioner Joan Murphy received her breast cancer diagnosis on a Friday in 2012 — one day before she would host more than 50 family members for a reunion.

“She didn’t tell anyone,” said Tricia Murphy, her daughter.

She finally confided in her daughter a year later. But after “she cheated death a couple times” — and fought to serve as a super delegate this summer for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton — the longtime local politician died “very peacefully” Sunday morning at the Crestwood home where she raised her family, her children said. She was 79.

“She was a true public servant,” her son, Tim Murphy, said.

A Cook County commissioner for the 6th District since 2002, Murphy began her political career as the elected clerk of Crestwood in 1965, at a time when “there weren’t many women in any political office,” her son said.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle (left) and Commissioner Joan Murphy whisper to each other while mayors speak at the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association at 1904 W. 174th Street in East Hazel Crest in January 25, 2011. | Joseph P. Me

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle (left) and Commissioner Joan Murphy whisper to each other while mayors speak at the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association at 1904 W. 174th Street in East Hazel Crest in January 25, 2011. | Joseph P. Meier/For the Sun-Times

She was later elected clerk of Worth Township in 1977 and supervisor of Worth Township in 1989. She also worked as a stewardess for United Airlines in the 1950s and later as a real estate broker. She was born in South Boston.

“A discerning ear could still pick up on some inflections of that unique dialect when she spoke, and Joan often joked that she was working hard on her Cook County accent,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle wrote in a statement announcing Murphy’s death.

Cook County Commissioner John P. Daley wrote in his own statement that “Joan advocated for a greater role for women in government and she was very proud of the Democratic Party’s recent nomination of Hillary Clinton for President.”

In a statement, Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin wrote that Murphy “was an outstanding public servant committed and dedicated to her constituents. She was a champion for labor and working families. Her voice and passion will be missed on the Board.”

Murphy had four children and was married to her late husband, Don, for 43 years. Her children said she often worked behind the scenes helping constituents: “No one would know how she helped so many people,” Tim Murphy said.

Tricia Murphy said her mother also “didn’t want anyone to know at all” about her cancer diagnosis.

Cook County Commissioner Joan Murphy served as a superdelegate for Clinton at the Democratic National Convention. “She worked very, very hard to get there. That was one of the pinnacles of her career,” said her son, Tim Murphy. | Provided photo

Cook County Commissioner Joan Murphy served as a superdelegate for Clinton at the Democratic National Convention. “She worked very, very hard to get there. That was one of the pinnacles of her career,” said her son, Tim Murphy. | Provided photo

Her Christmas tree never came down last year. Murphy insisted she would “be there to light it next year,” her daughter said. But even more powerful was Murphy’s desire to serve as a superdelegate for Clinton, the first woman nominated for president by a major political party.

“She was there,” Tim Murphy said. “She worked very, very hard to get there. That was one of the pinnacles of her career.”

Tricia Murphy said her mother “really likes Hillary.” But after serving as an early pioneer in the boys’ club of politics in the mid-20th century, Murphy also appreciated the significance of sending a woman to the White House, her daughter said.

So the family put a photograph of Murphy and Clinton in her family room. Taped to it was the date of Democratic National Convention, July 25. And Tricia Murphy said that served as her mother’s inspiration do physical therapy, to do laps around the house, and to follow the doctors’ orders so she could “keep fighting” and witness history.

“She was hard as nails and soft as a marshmallow at the same time,” Tricia Murphy said.

Services are pending.

The Latest
Only two days after an embarrassing loss to lowly Washington, the Bulls put on a defensive clinic against Indiana.
One woman suffered a gunshot wound to the neck. In each incident, the four to five men armed with rifles, handguns and knives, approached victims on the street in Logan Square, Portage Park, Avondale, Hermosa threatened or struck them before taking their belongings, police said.
For as big of a tournament moment as Terrence Shannon Jr. is having, it hasn’t been deemed “madness” because, under the brightest lights, he has been silent.
This year, to continue making history, the Illini will have to get past No. 2-seeded Iowa State.