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Austintown woman honored for ‘107 years of greatness’

Staff photo /Nathanael Hawthorne Marie Murphy sits behind her cake for her 107th birthday celebration. Austintown trustees recognized her “107 years of greatness” this week.

AUSTINTOWN — Since 1913, America has gone through some pretty hefty changes and Marie Murphy has been there to see them all.

She celebrated her 107th birthday Oct. 10. In her time, the world saw two world wars, invention of the television and two global pandemics.

At a little celebration Thursday, Austintown Township Trustee Jim Davis and Mahoning County Commissioner David Ditzler presented Murphy with proclamations.

“This proclamation, on behalf of the township, recognizes and honors you for 107 years of greatness,” Davis said.

A lifelong Mahoning Valley resident, Murphy lived in her Youngstown home until she was 105, but moved in with her niece, Peggy Bennett, and Peggy’s husband, Frank. She never married. She had a few occupations but most notably worked for General Electric and Northside Hospital as a ward secretary.

She credits her long life to two things: “taking everything day by day” and “eat whatever you want.”

She still enjoys a good steak, but her favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs.

Murphy shows no signs of slowing down. Her nephew-in-law wants to take her parachuting for her 108th birthday, and she has a desire to go to Spain.

“It’s on her bucket list,” Bennett said.

COVID-19 has put a damper on what she loves the most, being with people. In fact, she feels people are her favorite thing in her 107 years.

“The people in my life made it full. I appreciate that the most,” Murphy said.

nhawthorne@tribtoday.com

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