Marlene Moncrief Murphy, 86, of Ocean City, New Jersey, passed away peacefully, on April 26, 2026, surrounded by family.

Born on August 16, 1939, Marlene was a lifelong resident of Ocean City. She was a proud member of the OCHS Class of ‘57 and was on the reunion committee, remaining close friends with classmates throughout the years.

She and John Murphy, Sr. (Murph) enjoyed a long marriage of 53 years. After raising their family, the two enjoyed traveling together, especially to tropical destinations.

Marlene loved music and if there was a dance floor, she’d be dancing. The beach was her happy place, where she could often be found walking, reading, or searching for starfish with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed trips to New York City for plays on Broadway, hoping to catch a glimpse of celebrities. She continued to be active until late in life and loved biking and walking around Ocean City. Every grandchild has a memory of walking to the bay near her home and feeding the ducks.

Although working full-time, including over 25 years at The Flanders Hotel , Marlene was always available for her family. Rarely missing an event, she would be in the stands or audience for children and grandchildren’s activities and accomplishments. She was Mom to 4, Mom-Mom to 10, and Great-Mom-Mom to 2. Extended family includes many nieces and nephews and their children. Family was everything to her.

Marlene is predeceased by her husband, John Murphy; her mother, Lillian Moncrief; her father, Marlowe Moncrief, her sisters, Betty Pessolano and Joyce Durante; and nephew Stephen Durante. She is survived by her children Colleen Taylor and her husband Tom of Holly Springs, NC, Jill Murphy and her husband Tony Moncman of Petersburg, NJ, John Murphy Jr. of Linwood, NJ, and Sean Murphy and his wife Loren Kaufman of Margate, NJ.

In addition to her children, her legacy will continue through her ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren - Megan Taylor Martin (Drew); Alex Moncman Gronsky (Jake); Ben Taylor (Sarah), Shannon Murphy, Luke Moncman, Samantha Murphy, McKenzie Murphy, Morgan Murphy, Lilly Murphy, and Cally Murphy.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to her caregivers at Brandywine Brandall Estates, Crest Haven Nursing Home and NJ Health Hospice for showing such love and care.

A celebration of her life was held on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at The Godfrey Funeral Home of Palermo, 644 South Shore Road, Palermo, NJ. Burial followed the service at Seaside Cemetery.