Imelda Mary Murphy (nee Duignan), 80, of Leesburg Virginia died peacefully after a long struggle with cancer, with her family at her side on the morning of Friday April 15, 2016.

Imelda was born on May 14, 1935 to Emily (Coombs) and Joseph Duignan, the youngest of six children. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Imelda came to America at the age of 18. While living and working in New York City, Imelda met Eoin J. Murphy (also from Ireland) and began a life together that would span more than 55 years until Eoin's death in 2010.

In 1956, Eoin and Imelda married and welcomed a son the next year, Sean Cathal. A daughter, Patricia Fiona followed and finally Una Marie. The family lived in Brooklyn, New York where Imelda not only took care of the family but also began a career at United Airlines that spanned more than 20 years. It was this career that brought Imelda to Leesburg Virginia in 1988.

Imelda enjoyed travelling and often took trips with her family around the world – some highlights include trips to Hawaii, Mexico and Ireland. Through the years she would often go back home to Ireland to spend time with her sisters and brother. Family was the most important thing in Imelda's life and she was blessed with four beautiful grandchildren.

Imelda is survived by her daughters Patricia (James) Csizmadia and Una (Stephen Levenson) Murphy, daughter-in-law Andrea Murphy, and grandchildren Brendan (Jenna) Murphy, Morgan (J.R. Brennan) Murphy, Emily Csizmadia and Sean Csizmadia. She was preceded in death by her siblings, her son Sean in 1992 and her husband Eoin in 2010.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, April 21, 2016 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd, Leesburg, VA 20176. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, April 22 at 2:00pm at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 101 Oakcrest Manor Drive, NE, Leesburg, VA 20176.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.colonialfuneralhome.com.