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Maureen Lethbridge
11/14/1942 - 03/28/2025
Advance, Missouri
| Visitation: | 04/07/2025 |
| Service: | 04/07/2025 |
Maureen Alician Murphy Lethbridge lived a life filled with adventure, resilience, and boundless love. Born on November 14, 1942, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, she departed this life on March 28, 2025 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She was the second child of Galvin and Helen Murphy. As a proud second-generation Irish American and a military child, she embraced a life of movement and discovery, living in eight different states and even spending two years in a hut in Guam before the age of 15. Eventually, her journey led her to San Diego, California, where she built a life centered on love, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to her family.
Maureens family history is deeply woven into the fabric of America. Her great-grandfather, an Irish immigrant in Nova Scotia, was personally called upon by Henry Ford to implement an exhaust system in the first Model T, forever shaping the trajectory of their familys destiny. Her father, a Navy serviceman, was stationed at Hickam Field when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He survived that fateful day, and two months later, Maureen was conceiveda testament to resilience and the enduring power of life even in the darkest of times.
In San Diego, Maureen became a motherfirst to her daughter Jennifer, and later married Robert and became mother to three more children: Rebecca, Robert, and Kimberly. Though life presented its challenges, her strength never wavered. She single-handedly raised her four children, working tirelessly to provide them with a warm home and full bellies. When her children became teenagers, she began working at General Dynamics, a turning point that improved their lives significantly. In 1982, she married Greig Lethbridge, to which she was a devoted and loving partner, and remained by his side until his passing in 2014.
Maureens love extended beyond her own children she was a guiding presence to her younger siblings, especially Stefania and Rosemary, whom she nurtured like a second mother. Her beloved brother Donnie was her constanta steadfast bond they shared for 81 of her 82 years.
She had a rare and beautiful gift: making everyone she encountered feel like the most special person in the world. If you ask any of her grandchildren, each one would swear they were her favoritebecause thats how she made them feel. Her love was limitless, her kindness immeasurable, and her faith unshakable. A proud Irish Catholic, she carried her faith with grace and strength, sharing it with those around her in both word and deed.
She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Kimberly Roberts Wallace great-great-grandchild, Donte Kenniston her parents, Helen and Frank Kucharski and Galvin Murphy her brothers, Galvin Murphy Jr., John Kucharski, and Frank Kucharski jr her brother-in-law, Austin Baca her sister-in-law, Agnes Hazen three sons-in-law: Michael Mayo, William Dana, and Michael Clippinger her niece, Shawna Baca and her mother-in-law, Ardis (Dolly) Schmidt Roberts.
Maureen leaves behind a legacy of love and strength in her children: Jennifer Mayo of Missouri, Rebecca Dana of Ohio, and Robert (Andrea) Roberts of Idaho, as well as her stepchildren, Sean of Nevada and Tonya of Hawaii. She is also survived by her beloved siblings: Don Hazen of Texas, Stefania Baca, and Rosemary (Jack) Klemenz of San Diego, two neices Kelly (Jessie) Kucharski Kauppinen of Wildomar, Ca and jasmine (Warren) Deveney of San Diego, ca, three nephews William Santoni, Austin (Taylor) Baca 111, Chad Santoni all of San Diego, and two great neices. Her nieces and nephews held a special place in her heart, as dear to her as grandchildren. Her spirit lives on through her 14 grandchildrenJessica (Jennifer) Turnbull, Christina (Chad) Mahoney, Jimmy (Celia) Kennison, Ashley Mayo, Alyssia Roberts, Rachel Dana, Michelle (Kyle) Conley, Jeremy (Abby) Wallace, Kenneth Mayo, Rusty Wallace, Rebecca (Christopher) Keener, Dylan Wallace, Jay Wallace, and Lena Robertsas well as her 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Along with numerous cousins, friends, and bonus grandchildren.
Maureen lived with an adventurous spirit, an unbreakable will, and a heart full of love. She dedicated her life to her family, her faith, and to making those around her feel truly cherished. Though she has left this world, her love, wisdom, and laughter will echo through generations. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.
Slinte to a life beautifully lived.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance, MO. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m.
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