Isabelle "Issy" E. (Ellison) Murphy

   Isabelle (nee Ellison) Murphy, 99, Hamburg, passed away at her home on March 10, 2026, physically and spiritually surrounded by her loving family.
   Isabelle (“Issy”) was born on July11, 1926 in Syracuse, the daughter of the late William and Ruth (White) Ellison. She graduated from Gouverneur High School in 1944 and from the Cadet Nurse Corps Program at Plattsburgh State Teaching College in 1947. Upon receiving her nursing degree and her license as a Registered nurse, she worked as a surgical nurse at the House of the Good Samaritan in Watertown.
   On May 23, 1947, she married Harold F. DeMarse at Asbury Methodist Church, Watertown. In 1950, the couple welcomed their first child, David E. DeMarse. Sadly, on March 17, 1951, her first husband died of a massive heart attack in the family’s home. Four months later, on July 15, 1951, Issy gave birth to the couple’s second son, H. Frederick (“Fred”) DeMarse. On December 13, 1952, in the Rectory of St. Patrick’s Church, Rev. Frederick Diviney officiated over her second marriage to Bernard (“Bun”) M. Murphy. On April 1, 1954, she gave birth to a third son, Bernard (“Mike”) M. Murphy.
   Shortly after the birth of her third son, she converted and remained devoted, until the time of her death, to the Roman Catholic faith. She was a former communicant of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, Watertown, St. Joseph’s Church, Lakeland, FL, and St. Ambrose Church, Buffalo. At the time of her death, she was a communicant of the St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, Hamburg. The Murphy union also produced three more children, Margaret A. Murphy (Hamburg), Daniel (“Dan”) P. Murphy (Lebanon, NJ) and Thomas (“Tom”) M. Murphy.
   Issy paused her nursing career while she raised her six children, but continued to work, alongside of her husband as the owners and operators of the Maples Motel, located on the Bradley Street Road, Watertown. After selling the motel in 1972, the couple purchased and moved to a new home on Hinds Road. A year later, she resumed nursing at Mercy Hospital in the maternity, labor, and delivery ward.
   In 1986, Bun and Issy purchased a winter home in the Skyview Estate, Lakeland, Florida. In 1993, they moved to Buffalo to live with their daughter during the summer months. On February 13, 2003, Issy said a final goodbye to Bun, her husband of 50 years. Issy was an avid golfer, running two Florida golf leagues. She had been described as a serious card player, a talented amateur seamstress, quilter, and knitter, as well as an overall social butterfly within the Skyview Senior Community.
   Along with her parents and husbands, she was predeceased by three sons, Mike (December 7, 1969), Tom (June 12, 1971), and Fred (December 12, 2009); five siblings, Marybell Lewis (Cornwall), Robert and David Ellison (Gouverneur), Milderd Jeffers (Red Creek), and William Ellison (Seminole, FL). Issy is survived by three children, David, Margaret and Dan, two daughters-in-law, Carol Warren DeMarse and Tina Sanguedolce Murphy, eight grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Ellison (Watertown) and Loretta Ellison (Gouverneur), as well as many nieces and nephews.
   A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, March 21, at 10:00 am at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 4737 Lake Shore Road, Hamburg. The family will receive visitors in their Hamburg home immediately following the memorial mass.

   Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 22, at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., 214 Sterling St., Watertown from 4:00 - 6:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 23, at 10:00 am at Holy Family Church, Watertown, New York. Arrangements by Cummings Funeral Service, Inc. of Watertown (315) 782-0830. Share condolences at www.cummingsfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, Issy’s family requests donations be made to Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 590, Buffalo, NY 14240-0590 (Telephone: 716-686-8090) or made in her name to the charity of the donor’s choice.

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