Norma Jean (Mosier) Ankney-Murphy

Our beloved Matriarch Norma Jean (Mosier) Ankney Murphy passed away at home on New Years Eve (12/31/2022) peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the beautiful age of nearly 98.

“Moe, ” as she was affectionately known to her friends, was born in Bristol, IN January 26th, 1925 to the Rev. Bruce and Dorothy Mosier. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Max, sister Geraldine, and husbands Edgar Ankney, and Henry Murphy. She is survived by her three children, J.R. (Peg) Ankney, Anginette (Jeffery) Coleman, and Jennie (John) Shea, ten grandchildren, Jason (Stephanie) Ankney, Alicia (Bryan) Maggart, Abraham Ankney, Andy (Bryttani) McDaniel, Steve Ankney, Bradley Coleman, Nichalos Coleman, Austen (Meagan) McDaniel, Arek McDaniel, Matthew Coleman and five great grandchildren Rylee, Dante, Scarlette, Ryker, Presley. A nephew Mike (Karen) Mosier and a niece Marti (Kevin) Kauffman.

Norma had many loves and passions in her life. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were her greatest delight, but she also loved music and dancing, and was always ready to enjoy a party with her friends, neighbors, and loved ones. A lifelong Episcopalian, Norma lived her faith with everyone she met. Her unfailing generosity and kindness to all was an amazing thing to witness, and countless friends think of her fondly as their second mom. She deeply loved animals, especially her beloved dog Sissy, and volunteered at local shelters where she routinely brought home the most unadoptable animals because “no one else would want them.”

Never one to shy away from hard work, for a time Norma was a small business owner in Bunker Hill and Peru, IN, where she owned and ran Moe and Jim's Pizza and Valentino’s with her special blend of energy, enthusiasm and love. She worked for several years at the Maconaquah (IN) school district as a bookkeeper, and managed a trailer park and a drive-in movie theater. She instilled a strong work ethic in her children, and they helped out with nearly every business that she ran.

Norma had a happy childhood in the little village of Bristol, IN. She married Edgar (Joe) Ankney in 1947 and lived the life of a military wife, finally settling in Bunker Hill, IN in 1958. In 1988 Norma married Henry Murphy and spent many happy years with him in Live Oak, FL. After his death, she moved to be closer to her son J.R. in Virginia, and later to Lancaster, PA where she led an active “downtown dweller” life, making dozens of friends, shopping at local markets, and regularly attending St. James Episcopal Church. In 2017 she returned to Peru, IN to be with her daughter Anginette.

Norma loved to travel, but only got her passport at the age of 92, when she visited Mexico for the first time. During the last five years she regularly traveled to see her children. Her last adventures were to attend daughter Jennie’s wedding, grandson Austen’s wedding, and a visit to Boston in November of 2022.

More than anything Norma loved being together with family and friends, and could sit for hours “discussing and yakking” about everything from music to politics. There were unspoken life lessons along the way as well. She believed and lived lessons like the power of forgiveness, the importance of honesty and truth, and your word is your covenant. “Laugh lots” she would say, and would always suggest that we “relax and enjoy” whatever we were doing.

To paraphrase Winston Churchill, we all can see and hear her using this funny line as she stands chatting up St. Peter at the Pearly Gates of Heaven: “I am prepared to meet my maker. Whether my maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.” Rest in deep peace dear Norma Jean-your earthly journey is finished. May flights of angels sing thee to thy eternal rest.

In the summer of 2023 there will be a private funeral service for the family on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at the St. James Episcopal Church, Indiana. A public Celebration of Life Party will be held on Sunday, July 30, 2023 from 2pm to 6pm at the Old Holy Trinity Church, 34 West Main Street, Peru, Indiana.

In Lieu of flowers please make a donation in her name to your local school music department to keep her love of music going; to your local homeless shelter to continue her love of people; to your local animal shelter to continue her love of animals or adopt an animal.

When Norma was asked about the key to living a long life, she would smile and reply “lots of music, lots of love, lots of laughter, and especially lots of music”.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Norma Jean (Mosier) Ankney-Murphy, please visit our floral store.