- Date Of Birth: March 18, 1931
- Date Of Death: August 8, 2021
- State: Illinois
Josephine M. (Lesniak) Murphy, 90, of LaSalle, passed away peacefully in her residence on Sunday, August 8, 2021 with her loving family by her side. Josephine was born on March 18, 1931 in Oglesby, Illinois to Joseph and Cecelia (Dobrzanski) Lesniak. She married her true partner in life, Paul J. Murphy, on June 6, 1953 in Holy Family Catholic Church in Oglesby.
Josephine’s brother, the Reverend T.J. Lesniak, officiated. Josephine grew up in Oglesby surrounded by her parents, ten brothers and one sister. She had an active childhood, competing with her siblings and enjoyed softball, fishing, tennis and bowling. Josephine loved taking care of her family. The Murphy home in La Salle was the gathering place for all her siblings, neighbors and children’s friends. You could find her cooking large pots of soup or spaghetti to share with whomever stopped by. Paul and Josephine lovingly raised five children. Josephine, also, compassionately cared for her ailing mother, Cecelia, with her husband’s unfailing support for a decade in their home. Followed by caring for an elderly aunt for several years.
When Josephine was blessed with grandchildren she helped with childcare, cooking, and later enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events. Josephine’s was the loudest voice from the bleachers.Josephine shared her husband’s calling to political and community service. She was quite active as a LaSalle County Democratic Chairwoman and was a legislative aide to Illinois State Representative, James Von Boeckman of Pekin. Josephine held many positions in the LaSalle Township Office and was elected LaSalle Township Supervisor in 1989. The same year her husband, Paul, was elected mayor of LaSalle. Josephine went out of her way to help anyone in their time of need. She led by example. She was selfless and charitable, volunteering at PADS and the Illinois Valley Food Pantry, to name a few.
She is survived by her loving husband, who remained by her side for 68 years; four daughters, Paula (David) Crowe, Janice (James) Grabowski, Rose Murphy, Mary Jo (Kevin) Sterling; one son, Timothy (Claire Perona) Murphy; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, ten brothers and one sister.
