Margaret McKnight Murphy

Margaret McKnight Murphy, a 32-year resident of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, passed away December 17, 2021 at the age of 61 following a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. Margaret was born, along with her twin sister Ann, on November 3, 1960 in Green Point, Brooklyn, to parents Jim and Ellen McKnight. Along with her older brother Richard, they were raised in Broad Channel, Queens. Margaret graduated from Stella Maris High School in Rockaway Beach in 1978 and married her husband Eugene Murphy in 1979. They stayed in Broad Channel to start their family, and Margaret gave birth to their son Sean in 1982. Margaret, Eugene and Sean moved to Tinton Falls in 1989. She started a decorated career in retail management, working first at Childworld and then Best Products, both in Eatontown. Following the closure of Best, Margaret landed at one of America’s signature companies, Home Depot, where she served customers and colleagues for more than 22 years. Margaret started in the Millwork Department, eventually ascending to Operations Manager and Overnight Manager. But she found her passion in human resources, the business of people. One of Home Depot’s core values is “Taking Care of Our People,” and no one embodied this more than Margaret. She continued to move up the corporate ladder, leading HR at the district level, impacting each person she came into contact with along the way. A post announcing her passing on Facebook was filled with comments from grateful colleagues. Margaret took care of Home Depot’s people. Margaret was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001, and together with her family, friends, and doctors, she beat it into remission. The cancer recurred in 2011, setting off a decade-long battle with the deadly disease. Margaret’s final ten years were her most heroic. She fought cancer with poise, grace, and unmatched resilience. She never gave up, never wavered, and never complained. She was determined to be a survivor for her family and friends. She was a warrior, motivated, always moving forward with her head high and a smile on her face. She wanted to know how you were doing and what you were up to. She asked about your challenges. She celebrated your accomplishments, all while waging the battle of her life. Margaret was a beacon of hope, strength, and courage for everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. She quietly inspired, and her impact will be felt forever. You can’t talk about Margaret without mentioning how much fun she was. She loved hosting parties for family and friends, including the inaugural Clam Bake, a massive fall-time neighborhood soiree straight out of a movie. She was always there, ready to welcome you, Coors Light in hand, with a big smile. The Clam Bake has been going for more than a quarter century. Margaret’s peers in the Tinton Falls developments of Tinton Pines and Park Place were her second family, known affectionately as “Friends and Neighbors.” Each generation was referred to by the first letters in the alphabet: Margaret was a founding member of the A-dults, her son Sean a B-dult, her granddaughter Charlotte a C-dult. It is an interesting group of people to say the least. Margaret and Eugene were also avid cruisers on Royal Caribbean, Diamond Plus members (for those who know the Crown and Anchor system), and made many friends on those fun trips to Bermuda and the Caribbean Islands. They also loved taking weekend trips to Paradise Stream in the Poconos. Margaret loved laughing, dancing, and partying with her family and friends. She became an active participant in fun runs with a special group of running friends. She would be joined annually by a huge contingent of supporters at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Point Pleasant and naturally, the after party would be at her house with food, football, friends, and family. Her Christmas pajama party was a Friends and Neighbors staple, and the group was hoping to surprise her with one last singalong this year. Simply put, Margaret was a center of gravity, hosting barbeques and pool parties, Christmas Eve dinner and more. You could always find her sitting near her pool. When inside, she would root hard for the Giants, Mets, and Islanders. Family and friends filled her heart, especially her granddaughter Charlotte. Margaret was predeceased by her parents Ellen and Jim, twin sister Ann and brother Richard. She is survived by her husband of 42 years Eugene, her son Sean, daughter-in-law Melissa, and granddaughter Charlotte. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Mary Murphy; sister-in-law Eileen McKnight (nee Murphy), her son Stephen, her daughter Peggy Capozzi (nee McKnight), her husband Jerry and their children Sophia and Anthony; brother-in-law Kevin Murphy, his partner Liz OSullivan and their daughter Olivia; brother-in-law Tim Murphy and his children Brian, Timothy and Samantha; sister-in-law Cathy Anne Conway (nee Murphy), her husband Michael Conway and their children Colleen, Owen and Bridget. Also surviving are three loving Ficarella cousins and a large extended family of friends and neighbors. To honor Margaret's journey, we ask that you wear a touch of pink to her memorial visitation, which will be held 2-6 PM on Wednesday December 29th, 2021 at Bongarzone Funeral Home, 2400 Shafto Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07712. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society—Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (Margaret's Shamrocks) via cancer.org or 1-800-227-2345.

Margaret McKnight Murphy

November 3, 1960 - December 17, 2021