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Anne Marie McGowan Murphy
July 25, 1960 ~ December 14, 2012
Anne Marie's bell is F4. When F4 rings, we remember a devoted mother and a selfless educator. Her family said she was a "humble and unpretentious person who dedicated herself to art and to caring for others." Anne disregarded her own safety when she gallantly and selflessly gave her life attempting to protect her students.
Anne Marie had a twinkle in her eye, a funny quip on her lips and a kindness in her heart, her family said. She was also a caring daughter, sister, wife and friend who was fun to be around. "She had an off-beat sense of humor," the family said, and a "wonderful artistic eye."
Anne was a special education aide working with Dylan Hockley, a first-grader with autism, when a gunman burst into the school on December 14, 2012. She shielded 6-year-old Dylan, who she had worked with since the start of the school year, and other students, according to school officials.
Dylan died in her arms, his family said in a statement issued after the shooting:
"We take great comfort in knowing that Dylan was not alone when he died, but was wrapped in the arms of his amazing aide, Anne Marie Murphy," the family said. "Dylan loved Mrs. Murphy so much and pointed at her picture on our refrigerator every day. Though our hearts break for Dylan, they are also filled with love for these and other beautiful women who all selflessly died trying to save our children."
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, celebrated the Mass of Christian burial:
"Like Jesus, Annie laid down her life for her friends," Dolan said. "Like Jesus, Annie's life and death brings light, truth, goodness and love to a world often shrouded in darkness, evil, selfishness and death."
Anne Marie will never be forgotten. A bell for Anne will always ring at Christmas.