SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – The Mount Holyoke College community will come together this fall to honor the life of former student-athlete and graduate Laura Murphy, who was tragically killed in a car accident this summer. The Class of 2015 alumna, who was a four-year member and captain of the Lyons field hockey team, will be remembered in a memorial service at Abbey Chapel on Sunday, September 25, 2016.
The service will begin at 10:30 a.m., and is open to the community to join in the celebration of Laura's life. There will be a light reception following the service at the Kendall Sports and Dance Complex. The field hockey team will then hold their annual Alumnae Game at 1:30 p.m. on the Turf Field. In honor of Murphy, the game will be permanently known as the Laura Murphy '15 Annual Alumnae Game. A celebratory tailgate will immediately follow the contest back in Kendall.
Murphy passed away on Saturday July 16, 2016, following a car accident in her home state of California. She is survived by her parents Cindy and Patrick Murphy and sister Lisa, as well as her grandfather and many uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Murphy came to Mount Holyoke College in 2011, competing on the Lyons field hockey team, as well as serving in a number of leadership roles across campus. At the end of her junior season, she was elected tri-captain by her peers and took this role to heart, mentoring younger student-athletes academically and athletically, showing them what it meant to be a true teammate. Murphy was a beloved teammate, brilliant scholar, and outstanding member of the Mount Holyoke community. She loved to share her joy with others and was passionate about music, science, and the outdoors.
A member of the Lyons' defensive unit, Murphy played in 44 games during her career. She helped the team power its way to four consecutive NEWMAC Tournament berths, as well as two straight appearances in the conference championship game. The Lyons also made two straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament during her junior and senior seasons.
Murphy graduated Cum Laude with Honors with a BA in Biology and a minor in Spanish, in 2015. Upon graduation, she returned to California, working as a Research Assistant in the Komeili lab in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at the University of California at Berkeley. A dedicated young scientist, she was committed to making a difference in the world. Murphy was admitted to the doctoral program in Microbiology at UC Berkeley and would have started working toward her Ph.D. this fall.
Donations can be made in Laura's memory to "Girl Scouts of Northern California" at 1650 Harbor Bay Parkway, Suite 100 Alameda, CA 94502 or online at: www.gsnorcal.org/donate. Please be sure to designate "Two Sentinels on behalf of Laura Murphy" so that Laura's family can show their gratitude.
