Charlene Roberta Murphy of Oak Forest, IL was a caring and generous wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. After a prolonged battle with dementia, she left this life for eternal peace in Heaven on October 20th, 2024.  Charlene leaves a legacy of love, kindness, and a deep, abiding devotion to her family, animals and nature.

She was born to Adam and Ida Mae Schaller on August 17, 1938. She lived her entire life in the Chicago area and grew up in the Mt. Greenwood neighborhood, where she met her husband, Bob at Morgan Park High School. She is survived by her husband, her 3 children: Shari (Larry), Sue, and Rob (Kathy), her beloved brother Jim (Dinah) in Topeka KS, her beloved brother-in-law George (Jeri) in Oak Lawn and her beloved sisters-in-law Nelda (Tom) in FL, Nancy in Texas and Linda (Keith) in IL, 8 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Her dear sister, Jerilyn, predeceased her in 2019 and her beloved brother-in-law Tom in 2000.

Charlene enjoyed serving in the USO, and travelling several times to Hawaii. She co-founded the Oak Forest Garden Club. She was an integral and dedicated employee in the family business, Morgan Locksmiths in Beverly, which they started in 1962. 

Charlene loved spending time in her garden, making fairyland memories for her 8 grandchildren Jennifer, Mallery, Kaitlyn, Kristi, Adam, Tommy, David and Katie and 8 great grandchildren, Logan, Ben, Gus, Zoe, Lily, Jason, Ralphie and Alice. She is remembered as the fun, sweet, and loving Aunt of Lissa (Rod), Tommy (Brenda), Danny (Pammy), Kim (Juan), Bobby (Kim), Steve, Kevin (Victoria), Kelly, Ross (Karen), Scott (Wendy), Bill (Karen), Rick, Barbara, Ron, Chrissy (Mike), and Kevin (Rachel) and many great nieces and nephews.

She also had a passion for animals and has rescued and adopted too many to count, including cats, dogs, birds and any stray animal who was lucky enough to wander into the yard or cross Charlene's path.  She spent time as a Brownie, Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader, professional cake decorator/instructor, floral designer at Marshall Fields and as a statistical stenographer at Santa Fe Railroad.

She made the best Halloween costumes, birthday cakes, homemade meals, bread, cookies and memories for her family. Charlene leaves a rich legacy rooted in love, devotion, creativity, and self-less generosity. 

We invite you to share with us to celebrate her life at a visitation scheduled for 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024 at the Beverly Ridge Funeral Home, 10415 S Kedzie, Chicago. There will be a brief service beginning at 3:30 pm. Private interment at St. Mary's Cemetery in Evergreen Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to PawsCritterCrossing.org in Chicago Heights, IL