Eileen Murphy, former editor of Garden City Life, died at her daughter, Donna O'Brien's home in Garden City Wednesday, Aug. 4. She was 82 years old. A resident of Garden City for most of her life, she was one of its loyalists who made a career of fighting for what she believed was best for the village she loved.

Ms. Murphy was the daughter of Loretta and Thomas J. Cuff. Thomas Cuff, a Democrat, was a New York State Supreme Court judge from 1933 to 1945. He and his wife moved to Garden City in 1938, after their eighth child was born. Eileen was the oldest sibling.

Eileen Cuff graduated from Mary Louis Academy and from the College of New Rochelle, Class of 1944. After her graduation, during the World War II years, she liked to say that she was a "Rosie the Riveter," working for Liberty Aircraft in Farmingdale, with two of her sisters, Elizabeth and Mary.

She married Edward P. Murphy, a building contractor, in 1952. The couple had four children, Charles F., twins Thomas Cuff and Donna, and Edward P. Jr. Eileen began her volunteer career in the years her children were growing up, teaching Vacation Bible School and confraternity classes at St. Joseph's R. C. Church. Later she was president of the Garden City Mercy League and an active member of the Garden City Eastern Property Owners' Association.

After her children were older she began a garden design business which she was operating when Karl Anton asked her to come and work for him as the editor of the newly created Garden City Life newspaper. At first reluctant, insisting that she had no experience with a newspaper, she agreed when Anton told her, "You know Garden City. That's what we want." Once on board she became an enthusiastic editor, never missing a village board meeting and acquainting herself with every issue of concern. Seeing her with her shopping bags full of material or working at her desk, piled high with papers, one might have wondered how she did it, but, as her daughter Donna said, "She was organized in ways people didn't realize."

Jerie Newman, a longtime friend, said, initially, their paths crossed because they both attended school and village board meetings. "We became 'pals' early on due to our similar interests. We were both very active and involved in our individual property owners' associations - Eileen was in the Eastern POA, and I was in the Estates POA. We had a lot to talk about," she said. "We became a sounding board for each other. Often when I would call Eileen, her late husband, Ed, would answer the phone and tell me, 'She is out saving Garden City.' He was right!

"When Eileen was editor of Garden City Life, she made it a point to get to know every organization in Garden City. She was never without her camera and her tape recorder at meetings," Newman continued. "If she felt something needed more explanation, she would go to the microphone and ask a question that would 'flesh out' the information. She even referred to herself as 'Pushy Eileen.'" Ms. Murphy felt it was so important to get accurate statements when she wrote up the meetings for "her" newspaper.

"Even after she retired from the newspaper, she still came to every meeting with her camera and her tape recorder, transcribed it by hand and put it in a file for future reference if needed," Newman continued, adding, "Eileen was devoted to her God. She was devoted to her family. She was devoted to Garden City. She was a friend to all she met and even those she didn't know ... I am honored that she was my friend and my 'pal.'"

After retiring from Garden City Life, her interest in community affairs did not wane. In fact, with more time to devote to them they waxed. In 1998 she became president of the Eastern Property Owners' Association and president of the Joint Conference Committee, composed of the president and vice president of each of the four village property owners' associations.

In 2003 the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club presented her with the Maurice and Kay Kirby award at a dinner at The Garden City Hotel.

Among the causes for which she fought over the years, none was closer to her heart than the preservation of St. Paul's. It was still on her mind during her last days.

Garden City Village Administrator Robert Schoelle Jr. said of her, "Eileen was a unique individual--very intelligent, kind and forthright--one who inspired the confidence and cooperation of all that knew her. She loved and was as justly proud of her family as she was of her community. Eileen was highly energetic and always displayed and sparked enthusiasm. She gave freely of her time, knowledge and support and effectively used her influence to promote participation and volunteer service within the community. She was also a leader and was never shy to remind me and others in positions of responsibility that we too were expected to strive for effectiveness.

"Our village has lost a great and distinguished lady. She will be missed but fondly remembered."