Sister M. Cheryl Ann Murphy died on January 10, 2026 in Camilla Hall. Sister died in the 58th year of her religious life. Cheryl was born on June 20, 1949. Her parents Thomas and Frances (Hetzer) Murphy raised their three daughters Renee, Cheryl, and Denise in St. Henry Parish in Philadelphia. Cheryl attended St. Henry Elementary School (1955-1963) and Little Flower High School (1963-1967). Later, while in community, Sister earned an A.B. degree from Immaculata and an M.Ed. in Special Education from Trenton State College.
On September 8, 1968, Cheryl entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Cheryl received her habit and her religious name, Sister M. Cheryl Ann on June 27, 1969, and pronounced her First Vows on June 28, 1971.
Throughout Sister Cheryl’s classroom teaching ministry, which began in the fall of 1971 and ended in June 1989, Sister served faithfully in the following parishes in Philadelphia: St. Edmond, St. Monica, St. Barnabas, St. Irenaeus-Raphael and Holy Savior, Norristown. Sister Cheryl also taught for one year at Villa Maria Academy in Lynchburg, VA.
In the fall of 1989, Sister taught in the Special Education Program at St. Timothy Parish until the school year ended in 1995. Sister Cheryl next served as the Director of Special Education within St. William Parish until 1997. When Sister moved on to St. Cyril Parish in East Lansdowne in 1997, she served as the superior of the convent and religious enrichment instructor in school.
Sister Cheryl Ann went to Camilla Hall in August 2003 in the capacity of Pastoral Minister to our Sister residents. Sister served faithfully in this specific ministry until the fall of 2024. Sister then served as coordinator for Camilla Hall’s gift shop.
Sister Cheryl Ann is survived by her sisters, Sister Marie Renee Murphy, IHM, and Denise Dolan (Joe). Sister’s parents Thomas B. Murphy and Frances (Hetzer) Murphy predecease Sister.
Sister Cheryl Ann Murphy’s Funeral Liturgy was celebrated on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Reverend William J. Kelly, S.J. was the main celebrant and homilist. Reverend Francis Chambers, OSA, and Reverend Dennis Carbonero joined Father Kelly around the altar.
In Sister M. Cheryl Ann Murphy’s memory, a memorial donation may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355