Edna May Murphy 1950-2026

The middle of three daughters, Edna, affectionately known as May, was born in Youngstown on Jan. 3, 1950 — a rare warm winter day — to James and Edna Fleischer Waller.

On July 27, 1968, just over a month after her graduation from East High School, May married the love of her life, Patrick, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Youngstown.

They welcomed their first child just over a year later, followed by a second daughter shortly after, and completed their family of five with the birth of a son. May and Pat raised their children first in Campbell before relocating to Columbiana, where they lived for nearly 30 years, ultimately retiring to Lordstown.

May’s greatest joy was her family. Her childhood wish was to “marry a man like my daddy and to be a mother as wonderful as mine.” As an incredible wife, mother and grandmother, she achieved that dream and more, taking care of her family until her last breath. The sunshine of their lives, May always brightened with excitement when her children and grandchildren visited. She was never happier than when they all gathered together.

She was fiercely proud of her grandchildren and their accomplishments, no matter the size, rightfully earning the titles of best grandma and memaw in the world.

The exact opposite of every mother-in-law joke ever told, May accepted her children’s spouses as her own, often remarking how her children had married well. How could they not, having witnessed their parents’ love and devotion throughout their childhoods and to the very end.

She made sure to include everyone at gatherings and always asked after others’ families with genuine interest. She adored her grand- and great-grand-puppies, asking for them to visit.

Her family has an abundance of fond memories, such as the goodie bags she always sent home with her grandchildren — even as adults, and hiding a small pickle in the Christmas tree for them to search for, the first to find it winning $2 (everyone else got $1. She never left anyone out).

Her poppyseed cake and pickled eggs were holiday staples. She taught her youngest grandson how to make the Thanksgiving gravy, passing the duty along to another generation.

She was once a member of a Red Hat Society chapter in Columbiana. Pre-COVID, she and her sister-in-law Jane volunteered for Hospice by making and sewing ‘Burden Bears” for terminally ill patients. For several years she was a welcoming presence as she worked beside her daughter Patti at Love Thy Curves.

May is welcomed into eternal peace by her parents, Edna and James Waller, and her sisters, Nancy Banks and Jamie Smith.

In addition to her loving husband of 57 years, she is survived by her daughters, Patti (Rick) Huggins and Michele (Joe) Mlynarski; son, Shawn (Amanda) Murphy; four grandchildren, Nick (Ann) Huggins, Emily (Clayton) Chaffee, Haley Mlynarski and Ryan Mlynarski; and her beloved sister-in-law, Jane Colella.

The family will receive friends 1 to 3 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 3 p.m., Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel, 4303 Mahoning Ave.

May will be laid to rest in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to May’s family by visiting www.higgins-reardon.com.

(special notice)