Mary Colleen Murphy

We are heartbroken to share the passing of Mary Colleen Murphy, a beloved mother, family member, friend, coworker, and longtime member of the Novato and Mill Valley communities. Mary was taken from us far too soon on August 24, 2026, while on an evening walk near her family home with her beloved dog, Andre.

To know Mary was to know kindness.

She had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen and important. She always had a kind word to offer, a warm smile, a listening ear, and a genuine interest in the lives of those around her. Her big heart, wonderful sense of humor, and sweet, unmistakable giggle endeared her to everyone who knew her. And those who loved Mary can almost certainly hear one of her favorite expressions: “Right on!”

But nothing brought Mary greater joy or pride than being the mother of her two sons, Emmett and Shane, her forever love bugs. Being their mom was at the heart of who Mary was. She lit up when she talked about them, and her pride in and love for her two sons knew no bounds.

Mary treasured making memories with her boys. She loved to travel and was excited to see the world alongside Emmett and Shane. Recent adventures took them to Hawaii, Japan, and Paris, adding to a lifetime of family memories that also included summers in Cazadero, Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe.

She believed occasions were meant to be celebrated, especially birthdays. A birthday might mean a special dinner at the House of Prime Rib or Benihana, because Mary loved creating traditions and finding ways to make the people she loved feel special.

Mary was also immensely proud of her Irish heritage and loved family gatherings. She could often be counted on to arrive with seafood, fresh fruit, or flowers — and, of course, her camera. Mary loved taking photographs and had a special way of capturing the moments that would later become treasured family memories.

Her family also included her beloved fur baby, Andre, whose companionship brought Mary tremendous happiness and love. Andre was a constant presence in her life and truly part of the family.

Mary’s warmth extended far beyond those closest to her. She had an extraordinary memory for details about people and genuinely cared about what was happening in their lives. She didn’t simply remember your name — she remembered your story.

Anyone who encountered Mary at Safeway understood this. To Mary, Safeway was never simply a job. It was another community and another place where she built friendships and brightened people’s days. Customers were known to wait in a longer checkout line simply because Mary was working it. A shorter line couldn’t compete with the chance to see Mary, catch up, share some news, and leave a little happier than when you arrived.

Her coworkers meant just as much to her. They weren’t simply people she worked alongside; they were friends she cherished and people she genuinely looked forward to seeing and sharing her shifts with.

Mary’s roots in Novato ran deep. She attended Our Lady of Loretto herself and later returned as a parent, sending Emmett and Shane to the same school. That lifelong connection to the OLL community and her Catholic faith became part of the fabric of her family’s life.

Her community extended into Mill Valley as well, where she became a familiar and welcoming face at Check Stand 2. The tremendous outpouring of love from both Novato and Mill Valley since her passing is a reflection of the countless connections Mary made throughout her life. So many people loved Mary because Mary so freely gave her love to others.

While her family is devastated by her loss, they find comfort in their faith and in imagining Mary and Andre being welcomed into Heaven by the family members who went before them; surrounded once again by love, hugs, and probably plenty of laughter.

Mary had so much more life to live, so many more places to travel, birthdays to celebrate, pictures to take, stories to hear, and memories to make. Her absence leaves an immeasurable space in the lives of Emmett and Shane, her family, her friends, her coworkers, and the communities that loved her.

But Mary also leaves something extraordinary behind: the way she made people feel.

Seen, important, treasured and loved.

Mary will be forever missed, forever loved, and forever a part of all who were lucky enough to know her.

Right on, Mary.

A Celebration of Life and Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of Loretto in Novato on October 10 at 12:30 p.m. A reception will follow.

Friends and family are invited to bring their favorite memories and stories of Mary as we gather to remember, laugh through the tears, and celebrate a woman whose kindness, humor, generosity, and love touched so many lives.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Colleen Murphy, please visit our floral store.