Viola “Vie” R. Murphy, of 13 County Route 43, Massena, NY, was born in Batavia, NY on August 14, 1933, the daughter of the late Charles J. Neth, Jr. and Alice Welker Neth Zeitz. When the NYS Thruway divided the family farm in 1959, Vie and her first husband, Ernest A. Wahls, moved to Massena. Ernest passed away in 1978. She is also predeceased by her second husband of 40 years, James C. Murphy, who died a day and a half before his 100th birthday in 2020, as well as by her older sister Lillian Neth Wahls, brother-in-law Ivan Wahls, and her grandson, Drew Wahls.
Vie is survived by her three children, Deborah Wahls White (Brian Sallee) of Reno NV, Arthur (Carla) Wahls of Batavia, and David (Robin) Wahls of Doswell, VA; four stepchildren, Sheilah Murphy of Salem, OR, Kevin (Deborah) Murphy of Gloversville, NY, Arline Murphy of Massena, and Nora (Bruce) Kotterman of Princess Anne, MD; seven grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Andrea (Robert) Falkowski, James (Tessali) Wahls, Hillary Wahls; Seana Murphy, Christopher Murphy, Cassandra Murphy, Kelly Conners and 12 great-grandchildren.
Additional family members who survive include her brother Charles J. (Mary Catherine) Neth, III of Batavia, NY, Ruth (Eugene) DuBois of Greenville, TN, her brother-in-law Glenn Wohlsclagel of Batavia, and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
Vie was known for her beautiful flower gardens and a large vegetable garden, with her backyard twice being a feature of the Massena garden tour. She was always happy to share in their bounty. She belonged to the women’s dart baseball and bowling leagues. In the 1990’s, she and her husband, Jim, participated in the State Senior Games, where Vie won Gold Medals in table tennis, and Bronze Medal in bicycling, qualifying her for the National Senior Games. Together, Vie and Jim were avid Potsdam Bears basketball fans, world travelers, and always enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren.
Vie was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church and a longtime volunteer and member of St. Peter’s Outreach, formerly known as St. Vincent DePaul Society.
Calling hours are Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street in Batavia. Vie’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Resurrection Parish, 303 East Main Street, Batavia. She will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Batavia.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Outreach, St. Lawrence Valley Hospice, or a charity of one’s choice.
Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.
