Terry Murphy Fort

Terry Lee Murphy Fort, age 68, of Desert Hot Springs, CA, formerly of Roberts, WI, died peacefully after a short battle with cancer on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at the Aaspen Village Care assisted living facility in Yucca Valley, CA.

She was born on January 25, 1949, in Minneapolis, MN, to James and Jeannine (Rolf) Murphy and was the oldest of thirteen children.  In 1960, the Murphy family moved to a farm near Roberts, WI, where Terry’s lifelong love for all animals flourished. She also loved music and poetry, which were lifelong passions as well.

After graduating from St. Croix Central High School, she moved to Minneapolis where her only child, Tom was born. Together they moved to Washington state, where Terry met Thomas Hermosilla.    In 1973, they married in San Francisco and then moved to Oklahoma for a job relocation. Terry attended the University of Oklahoma during this time. They relocated once more to Huntington Beach, CA and eventually divorced in 1983.   In 1984, Terry settled in Palm Springs where she started a bookkeeping business, which she maintained until her death.

Terry was always a great friend to many in her community. She met and married the love of her life, Dale Fort on March 3, 2003. They lived in Desert Hot Springs until their deaths. They both dearly loved their dogs and Terry cared for any animal in need.

Terry was preceded in death by her husband, Dale in August 2016, and her father, James Murphy, Jr. in 1990.

She is dearly loved and will be missed by her son, Thomas Murphy; mother, Jeannine Murphy; sisters: Kathy Coey, Susan Larsen, Nancy Murphy, Marilyn Murphy, Michelle Ellefsen, Rita Johnson (Kevin), Kerry Rouleau (James), Amy Factor (Dean), and Erin Murphy; along with brothers:  Brian Murphy (Jackie), John Murphy and Michael Murphy; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and an even larger extended family, the Fort family, and her many friends in the community.

A Celebration of Terry’s Life will take place 1:00 PM Saturday, April 22, 2017, at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th St., Hudson.  A Gathering of Family and Friends will take place one hour prior to the service.   In lieu of flowers, please make a contributions payable to: Jeannine Murphy.