Rhoda Boniface Murphy, 101, lifelong hoot

Rhoda Murphy, aka Granny, Aunt Rhoda.  Rhoda left this world on her own terms, as we knew she would.   The daughter of Alfred Boniface and Edyth Howlings Boniface and the last of her 11 siblings, she passed away at the young age of 101.

Her legend started early — she once rode a horse through her house as a kid and never slowed down after that. She taught every grandkid, niece, and nephew to drive, shoot a .22 off her back deck, bait a line, find watercress, and cuss — most of which was before anyone was the age of ten. She was fierce about protecting her family.  She’d offer to beat up your bullies. Then she would bake you a pie!

As grandchildren, it was our favorite place because that meant that bathing, brushing your teeth, or eating anything other than pie was optional.  If you caught a sunfish, she’d skin and cook it like it was a prized rainbow trout. She made everyone feel like the favorite, and probably told each of us we were. She could whip anyone at cards — didn’t matter if you were six or sixty. She’d tell you not to cry, unless you lost a good hand of gin rummy to her. Then she would laugh and tell you to get over it. To say she will be missed is an understatement; she lived an amazing life.

Rhoda drove a school bus, worked for the post office, retired to play golf.  She told a fantastic dirty joke, had no patience for nonsense, but infinite love for her people. But the best thing about her was her unconditional love and loyalty.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Patric Murphy, and survived by her sons, Rick and Kris   Murphy, Mike Murphy, Ted Lolkema, and her daughter, Denise and Don Sanzera; grandchildren Lauren and KJ VanAckeren,  Mike and Stacey Sanzera, Danny and Cauane Sanzera, Joel Lolkema, and Daren and Jamie Lolkema. Her beloved great grandchildren include Molly and Miles VanAckeren, Michael, Sophia and Robbie Sanzera, Benny, Allessadra, Giuliana, and Daniella Sanzera, Linnea and Emilia Lolkema, Lindsey and Marissa Lolkema.  More nieces, nephews, and friends than any one obituary could reasonably list. She was a Boniface till the day she died and truly loved all of her family intensely.

We can’t say enough about her family who visited daily, and her wonderful caregivers, her nurses, hospice, and everyone who kept her from chopping her own wood after 90 (because she damn well tried).

Memorial Visitation will be held on Thursday October 9, 2025 from 4-7pm at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc. 1525 Burlingham Rd. Pine Bush, NY. A Celebration of Rhoda's life will begin at 6:15pm at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers please donate to the New York Catastrophic Injury Fund in honor of Drew Boniface.

https://helphopelive.org/campaign/25648/