Teresita Mary Riley Murphy

Lansing, Michigan.   Passed away on October 25, 2014, after a short illness. She was a beautiful, fun and talented woman who loved God and her family fiercely and who always believed in the goodness inside of everyone.  Teresita was born in Buffalo NY in August 1925 to Ottille R. Cole Riley and William Francis Riley of Jersey City, NJ, but grew up in East Lansing and was a 1943 graduate of East Lansing High School.

Teresita was a concert singer of opera and classical pieces most of her life, performing throughout Michigan, and in New York City during her professional career there from 1952-55.  Teresita was active in multiple choral activities including Lansing Matinee Musicale (President 1978-80), and the choirs of St. Mary Cathedral and St. Gerard Church in Lansing.

Teresita was predeceased by her husband, the Hon. Charles N. Murphy, her beloved daughter Dr. Anne Murphy Janca, grandson James Thomas Janca, and siblings: William, Joseph, Donald and Claire. She is survived by seven of her eight children, Charles of Alma, MI, Mary Schafer of Potterville, Patrick of Lansing, Claire Kzeski of Charlotte, Margaret of Lansing, Daniel of Okemos and James of Rockaway, NJ, her fourteen grandchildren: Nicholas, Christine, Josette, Anthony, Daniel, Jessica, Ian, David, Theresa, Charles, Joseph, Mary, Reilly, and Kristin, and 10 great-grandchildren, Eddie, Dawn, Lillyanna, Jocelyn, Lexus, Livia, Eric, Ian, Brianna and Michael.

Visitation will be at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel on Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. with the Rosary at 7 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Cathedral, Wednesday, October 29, 2014, at 9:30 a.m., visitation prior at 9:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Mary Cathedral for capital restoration needs, or to Lansing Matinee Musicale.