Halifax Explosion survivor dies
Posted Jul 19, 2013 07:20:50 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
One of the last known survivors of the Halifax Explosion died this week.
Mary Murphy died Wednesday at the age of 98.
She was just two years old in 1917 when she was pulled from the burning remains of her family’s home in the Richmond District.
She returned to live the rest of her life in the new house built on the foundation of the old.
According to her obituary, the event shaped her life and the life of her family. Two of Mary’s uncles and their wives were killed, leaving several cousins orphaned. She later said of the explosion,”It is not something you get over.”
Over the years, Murphy befriended historian Janet Kitz, who said despite Murphy being so young, she could recall some memories of the explosion.
“She remembered wandering around and not really knowing exactly where she was. She remembered the devastation roundabout and then her family was very, very much involved with the explosion,” said Kitz.
Kitz told News 95.7, Murphy is possibly the last known survivor and the third to pass away this year, along with George Sim, 101, and Kathleen MacDonald, who was also 101.
Murphy went on to a 48-year career in the provincial public service, serving as executive secretary to five deputy ministers and 12 ministers.
Her funeral will take place at Saint Patrick’s Church on Saturday morning. Donations in her memory can be made to Hope Cottage.
