Jan LeBlanc Murphy

Mary Jan-an LeBlanc Murphy, departed this life peacefully on October 15, 2024, in Covington, Louisiana. Born on March 14, 1932, in the close-knit community of Houma, Louisiana, Jan was a devoted mother and is survived by her two children, Melissa Broome (Peter), and Rick Murphy (Lori); granddaughters Sarah Alderman (Josh), Maggie Bokobza (Jeremy) and Lauren Merryman (Tim); and great-grandchildren, Olivia Bokobza and Shep Merryman, who brought immense joy and laughter to her days. "Grammers" legacy of kindness, strength, and grace continues through them and their memories.

Born the eldest of three to Charles and Florence LeBlanc, Jan grew up in a family of educators. Being so successful in elementary and high school- she "skipped" grade levels, resulting in her missing a few fundamental skills. Her teacher, Mrs. Boudreaux, taught her the process of long division. Later she used her math abilities to teach her daughter "the line in a fraction means to divide." As a child, Jan traveled by train to New Orleans for opportunities like piano lessons and orthodontia that a small town could not provide, a brave trip accompanied by soldiers on the move during WW II. On these weekends, Jan was welcomed in the home of her Aunt Freddie and Uncle Pete Chopin where she was schooled in the culture of New Orleans.

Graduating from high school at the age of 15, she began her college studies in Natchitoches, Louisiana at Northwestern State majoring in chemistry, biology and math, although her real interests were in journalism and debating. For her senior year, she was recruited to colonize a sorority chapter at Western Michigan University. When her father put her on the train, he said, "I don't ever expect to see you again. You'll either be killed in a race riot or by an atom bomb or you'll marry a Yankee—and I don't know which would be worse." After graduation she took a position with Michigan Bell Telephone Company, the first female recruit to their management training program. Upon her move to Detroit Jan met a young salesman who drove from Cleveland to crash a party given by a houseful of young women. That is how she met Richard LeQuesne "Dick" Murphy. They were married in Houma on June 26th,1954 until his passing in 2003.

In June 1954, Jan and Dick moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where Dick was a salesman for Scallan Supply Company and Jan began her career as mother and educator. One of her first volunteer roles was running a released time religion instruction program for public school students from her home located next door to Silverton School. She was an active member of St. Vincent Ferrer parish and served as Parish Council president (writing the Constitution that merged the Parish Council of Men and the Parish Council of Women), playwright for adult theater, catechist for the Rite of Christian Initiation classes, substitute teacher, science fair judge and finally teacher in the parish school where she taught both of her children. Jan also dedicated her talents and leadership skills as President of the Archdiocesan Council of Laity.

When Melissa became a member of the Catholic charismatic community, New Jerusalem, Jan attended a meeting to be sure her daughter was not involved in a cult. From there she became one of the early adult members of New Jerusalem and served as a respected retreat leader, mentor and administrator for the community and the Franciscan Friars.

After her husband passed away, she made one last courageous move home to the south, relocating to Covington, LA, one month before Hurricane Katrina struck. It was there she began her final career as editor of Inside Northside Magazine. Her attention to detail and drive for perfection provided a priceless skill set for the new lifestyle magazine. However, one of her favorite activities was teatime with her granddaughters.

Her last residence on the New Orleans Northshore was at the Christwood Retirement Community where she was reunited with her sister and brother-in-law, Amelie and Pierre Faure and frequently saw her brother and sister in law, Lynn and Monalee LeBlanc. In her last days, Jan was greatly comforted by her companion, Margarita Harter and her granddaughters.

A visitation/celebration of Jan's life will be held at 9:30 Tuesday, December 3 at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish and the funeral mass will follow at 10:30. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Jan's memory to a charity close to her heart, reflecting her lifelong commitment to service and community.