Thora Mae Murphy

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear beloved mother, sister, Nana, Grandma, Aunt, Cousin and cherished friend Thora Mae Murphy. Thora passed away peacefully on January 7th, 2026 in Newport Beach, CA at the age of 96 after a courageous three year battle with dementia.

Thora was born on November 25th, 1929 in small town Cayuga, Ashland County, Wisconsin to Earl Evansen Sr. and Florence Margaret (Heinson) Evansen. Thora was the second oldest child of six children. She attended a small school in Cayuga, Wisconsin with all of her siblings. She later moved to California and met her first husband Arthur John Chmielewski and they married on April 19th, 1948 and Arthur was the father of her four children. She later divorced Arthur in 1972 and then married William Joseph Murphy in 1974.

Thora is survived by her four children Sandra Bennett, Sherry Parenteau (Don Parenteau), David Murphy (Ana Murphy) and Wendy Fahrion (David Fahrion). Grandchildren Julia O’Connell (Kelly O’Connell), Janelle Parenteau, Jolene Schwan-Read (Tim Read), Chad Parenteau, Robb Fahrion (Alexandra Pink Fahrion) and Tyler Fahrion. Great Grandchildren, Brittni Grant, Victoria Ashly Schwan, Austin Schwan and Jayden Schwan, Preston O’Connell, Pierson O’Connell, Olivia Nevaeh O’Connell and Eleanor Rose Fahrion. Brother Allen Ronald Evansen and several nieces and nephews. Thora was predeceased by her father Earl Evansen Sr. and mother Florence Evansen, brothers Earl Edward Truman Evansen Jr., Eugene Wallace Evansen, Arthur Wayne Evansen and sister Norma Jean Acosta. Divorced husband Arthur J. Chmielewski and widowed husband William J. Murphy and Great Grandson Christopher Grant and Nephews Allen Evansen Jr. and Arthur Evansen Jr.

Thora was a remarkable woman and a dedicated professional in the banking field and became Vice President of the Torrance National Bank. She worked with TTNB for 27 years until her retirement in 1983. Thora was a smart, accomplished, and hardworking woman. Thora’s colleagues and friends remember her as a tireless worker and a mentor and mom to many employees that worked at the bank. She enjoyed keeping her mind busy by doing crossword puzzles and playing card games. She loved entertaining her family and friends at her home and having everyone together. She always looked forward to her weekends and night’s out at the Kettle and Sonora Inn restaurants and dancing the night away with her besties Aunt Sharlene and Uncle Ray. She loved the heat and later sold her Garden Grove home and moved to Palm Springs, CA shortly after her retirement, but after a few very hot summers there she ended up moving back to Orange County to Anaheim, CA. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and it showed as she always decorated every inch of her home and she made sure that she always had extra gifts for any additional drop in guests. She loved giving more than receiving.

In addition to her professional accomplishments Thora was known for her warm heart and caring personality. She had a very generous heart, always ready to lend a helping hand, give advice or offer a place to stay for those in need. Her kindness and compassion touched the lives of many and she will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Thora’s nurturing spirit, unwavering support and boundless love will forever live on in the hearts of her children and family and all that were so very blessed to know her. Her legacy as a mother, banker and friend will endure, and her kind spirt will continue to inspire us all. In our hearts, Thora lives on, and we will forever honor the legacy of a remarkable woman who made a lasting impact on everyone.

She was the Matriarch of our family and her family and friends were all so very dear to her heart. We all will miss her terribly and our hearts ache immensely with her passing but we find peace knowing that she’s now in God’s loving care. Her strength, kindness, giving heart, contagious laugher and smooth dance moves will live on and always remain forever in our hearts.

A private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Proverbs 31:31