Catherine Rita Maguire Murphy, or ‘Sis’ as she was affectionately known, was a woman of great faith with an outgoing and generous spirit. Mrs. Murphy was born in 1918 in New York City and graduated from Cathedral High School and Grace Institute School of Business. After marrying her husband, Thomas Aquinas Murphy, Senior, in 1941, she devoted herself to being a full time wife and mother, maintaining homes in Florida, Michigan, New York, and North Carolina.

Mr. Murphy was born in 1915 in Hornell, New York and grew up in Chicago. He graduated from Leo High School and the University of Illinois where he was a Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma scholar. Following his service in the Navy during World War II, he was employed by General Motors Corporation and was its chairman from 1974 to 1980.

The Murphys travelled to all fifty states and six continents. They were patrons of numerous schools and charities.

Their financial success allowed them to acquire beautiful objects. Particularly noteworthy was Mrs. Murphy's jewelry collection. Her outstanding diamond ring and bracelet, Lots 27 and 28 are examples of the Murphys' elegant taste and their devotion to one another over the course of their nearly sixty-five year marriage.