Jean L. Tomlinson Murphy, Ed.D. died April 8, 2016.

She was born March 2, 1925 on Long Island, NY; a daughter of the late George Russell and Daisy Elizabeth James Tomlinson.

On March 17, 1950 she married Thomas Emmett Murphy Jr. who preceded her in death.

Maximizing her superior intellect and innate skills Jean earned a Painting degree from the Yale School of Art in 1944; a bachelor of Fine arts degree from Yale in 1946; a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University in 1966; and her Doctor of Education from Columbia University in 1970.

Dr. Murphy taught art at Chatam Hall Girls Preparatory School in Virginia, worked as a model and as an Interior Designer in New York City. She began teaching painting, drawing and color classes at Ball State University in 1967 and was recognized for her teaching ability. Her paintings were collected by major companies such as Chase Bank and Westinghouse. She retired after 18 years with the rank of Full Professor

She was interested in house and landscape design. She dismantled and rebuilt a log cabin and designed and built an earth sheltered house in Indiana. She restored the Christian Oyer Jr. House, a stone house of her dreams, furnishing it with period antiques. She was honored to have it placed on the National Historic Register in Huntingdon, PA. Dr. Murphy was a master gardener. Her flower gardens which were truly works of art, were admired by many.

Surviving Dr. Murphy two daughters; Keven Anne Murphy, Ph.D. of Granby, CT and Aidan M. Wilson of Centre Hall, PA; her grandchildren, Justin Wilson and wife Claire of San Diego, CA, Julia Schroth of Chicago, IL and Sean and Caitlin Wilson of State College, PA.

A memorial service is planned on her Huntingdon PA property at the end of June, with the exact time and date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Project HOPE, 255 Carter Hall Lane, P. O. Box 250, Millwood, VA. Emmett Murphy, Jean's late husband, was on the maiden voyage of the hospital ship Project HOPE, and wrote the documentary of the same name, which won an Academy Award in 1962.

Condolences may be shared with the family through this online guestbook.