Obituary of Helen Murphy

Helen V. Murphy died on June 24, 2016. She was born in Poughkeepsie on January 19, 1922 to Thomas and Helen (Nellner) Czaplinski. She graduated from Arlington High School and was a member of the National Honor Society. She attended the University of Oklahoma and the University of Florida at Coral Gables. Helen worked for the NY State Army Ordinance Division with an office at IBM until, in 1942, she joined the Women's Army Corps in the US Army. This later became the US Air Force and she was an Air WAC. In Boot Camp she was one of a cadre of women selected to be the first contingent of WAC's to go west of the Mississippi, where they were stationed at Santa Ana Air Force Base, California. They were then taken to Hollywood on a daily basis and appeared in a recruiting film starring Eleanor Parker, Faye Emerson and Nina Foch. Helen was transferred to an Air WAC recruiting office on Hollywood Boulevard, where she was Secretary and Chaufferette to the Commander of that unit. In that capacity she accompanied him to various civic and publicity agendas where she modeled the uniform and made recruiting appearances. She was featured on the radio shows "Queen For A Day" and the "Amos and Andy Show", and on the stage with then "rookie" Frank Sinatra - - all recruiting productions. She was honorably discharged in 1945 at the rank of Staff Sgt. Helen then worked for the US Veterans Administration in Poughkeepsie until 1947 when she married Lt. Warren Murphy of Hopewell Junction, an Army Air Corps pilot, and went with him to Alaska. Many other assignments followed including Japan, Germany, and many of the United States. They had five daughters, most born in other states or countries. Her husband retired in 1969 as a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force; they then returned to the Poughkeepsie area. He predeceased her in 1972. Later, Helen became an active member of Arlington American Legion Post 1302 and for more than 25 years she held many Officer positions, including being the first female Commander of that Post. She was an avid reader and spent many hours reading novels. She also loved Polka dancing and for several years she acted as "Tour Guide" for Polka weekends in the Catskills, Albany, Wildwood and other places. Helen is survived by 5 daughters; Karen (Dennis) Kehoe, Linda Aron, Maryann (Joseph) Leonczyk, Kathleen (Mark) Langman, and Patricia (Joseph) Maio. She had 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 4 brothers: Charles, Frank, Thomas, and Stanley Czaplinski; and 2 sisters: Marion Manda and Florence Lockhart. Calling Hours will be held Tuesday June 28, 2016 from 4pm to 7pm at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home on 371 Hooker Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY., a prayer service will follow at 7pm. There will be a graveside service 11am Wednesday June 29, 2016 in the Czaplinski family plot at Calvary Cemetery Poughkeepsie, New York. In lieu of flowers, contributions to your favorite charity or to the American Legion Post 1302, 55 Overlook Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. If you would like to leave an online condolence please visit www.doylefuneralhome.com