Phoenix, Arizona – Maureen Elaine Murphy, died peacefully at her residence on July 6, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Saratoga Springs on February 24, 1957 to the late Elaine Carroll and Francis Michael Murphy.

Maureen was a 1975 graduate of Saratoga Springs high school. After graduating she enlisted in the United States Army. Following her honorable discharge from the armed forces Maureen moved west and eventually settled in Arizona, which is where she lived for the remainder of her life.

One of Maureen's fondest childhood memories was "August in Saratoga Springs." Not just because it was racing season. You see, her father and his brother William, both WWII veterans, started working for what is now known as the New York Racing Association in the late 1920s at the beginning of The Great Depression.  Her father worked only in Saratoga Springs but her "Uncle Willie" worked at three New York racetracks and lived permanently on Long Island. Her older brother Timmy, also a veteran of the United States armed forces, lived in Staten Island. In August the "Long Island Murphy's" and the "Staten Island Murphy's" would spend the month in Saratoga Springs and all of her cousins would meet at her Aunt Ann (Murphy) and Uncle Bill Graul's house for 24 days of fun!

In addition to her parents Maureen is predeceased by her older brother Timothy M. Murphy, older sister Terry Murphy, and brother-in-law Peter Dickens.

Survivors include her lifelong friend Mary Anne (Lenny) Smith of Arizona; daughter Destanie of Arizona; brother Robert C. (Philomena) Murphy of Saratoga Springs; sisters Katherine E. (Roger) Pollett of Delray Beach, FL, MaryFrances Dickens of Ballston Spa; nephews James Murphy of New Jersey, Robert C. (Katelyne) Murphy, Jr. of Saratoga Springs; and nieces Erin Murphy of New Jersey, Colleen Pollett of Oakland Park, FL, and Kasey Pollett of Delray Beach, FL.

The family would like to offer their most sincere and heartfelt appreciation to Mary Anne Smith for always being there for Maureen throughout her life.

A graveside service where Maureen will be laid to rest in their family plot in St. Peter's Cemetery will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 10am. A gathering of family and friends will follow at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge 161 (1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs) from 11am-3pm.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.