Monroeville woman surprised with party for 100th birthday

Turning 100 feels no different for Monroeville resident Mary Jane Murphy, who reached the milestone Aug 1.

Born in Scottdale in 1921, she attended schools in the area through eighth grade before moving to Charleroi and graduating from Charleroi High School in 1939.

Murphy married in 1943 and had four children — two sons and two daughters. One of the daughters passed away in 1997. Murphy traveled around the world with her husband, who was in the Army. During that time, she would do secretary work at the military bases.

The two travelled until building a home and settling in North Huntingdon in 1957. Her husband would later pass in 1994.

Murphy lived in the house for 64 years before selling it to one of her grandsons and moving to the Independence Court of Monroeville in 2019. That was where she was surprised with a birthday party July 30 to celebrate reaching 100 years old.

The party was open to all residents and there was cake and ice cream. Murphy received many birthday cards from different relatives in multiple states and local places, such as her church, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Irwin.

Although she is still counting them, she had received 120 cards by the end of her birthday.

“I appreciated it a lot, and a lot of my gifts are homemade,” Murphy said.

Separate celebrations were held the following Saturday and Sunday with extended family.

Sharon Jankovic, director of activities at the hospice, has known Murphy since she first arrived.

“She is very sociable, and she likes being busy with her crafting,” Jankovic said.

When she is not celebrating her birthday, Murphy enjoys beading and making banners from the beads in her room. She has made well over 200 crafts.

“I love relaxing in my room, and I am perfectly content here,” she said.