Florence Elizabeth (O'Connell) Murphree

Florence Elizabeth (O'Connell) Murphree passed away peacefully on May 19, 2011, in Oak View, Calif., from complications of pulmonary obstructive disease after a lengthy illness. She was 83.

Mrs. Murphree was born in Havre, Mont., on May 28, 1927, the second child of Morgan and Kathryn Anderson O'Connell. She graduated from St. Jude Thaddeus School and Havre High School in 1945 and spent one year each at Northern Montana and Montana State before marrying the late Harold Murphree in Havre in December 1947.

The couple subsequently lived throughout the Rocky Mountain area and Florida, Cuba, Libya, Yemen, California and Colorado in conjunction with her husband's work in the oil exploration business.

She obtained a realtor's license and worked as a real estate agent in the Denver area for several years before relocating to Oak View, Calif., in 1979, where she worked in real estate for more than 15 years until her retirement. She was a member of the Ojai Valley Women's Club.

Mrs. Murphree is survived by her three children, David Murphree of Carlisle, Mass., Kathryn Ann Hotz of Santa Clarita, Calif., and Thomas Murphree of Oak View, Calif .; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Havre on Monday, June 27, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Havre. The family requests that correspondence be directed to Thomas Murphree at 467 Santa Ana Blvd, Oak View, CA 93022.