Longtime Milwaukee journalist Mary Beth Murphy transformed religion coverage

Two quick memories tell a great deal about Mary Beth Murphy's years as a reporter in Milwaukee.

As a religion writer, Murphy learned that Mother Teresa of Calcutta was making a visit to Milwaukee. An interview would be difficult; a one-on-one conversation all but impossible. Murphy solved it by finding out what flight she would be on, and booking a seat so she could sit with her on the plane. She got the interview.

As a juvenile court reporter, Murphy saw families during some of their most challenging moments. The mother of two had to report on children who were incarcerated. It was not uncommon for her, on her own, to buy toys and other gifts for families she wrote about, if she saw a need.

The first memory is a testament to Murphy's doggedness; the second to her compassion and respect for sources.

Murphy died on May 26 from metastatic breast cancer. She was 78.

Born in 1945 in Mt. Vernon, Ill., to Rita and Charles Compton, she was a graduate of Mt. Vernon Township High School and the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

She applied for a job at the Milwaukee Sentinel in 1969 even though the newspaper stated a man was preferred. Murphy got the job.

She covered women’s issues first, then the Milwaukee County Juvenile Court System and finally religion — a beat that she would transform during her tenure. Rather than just doing light features, she covered religion as a news beat, reporting on the faith community — flaws and all — with determination. Colleagues, friends and family said she never lost sight of her audience, and she wrote for them, not her sources.

She interviewed Pope John Paul II, several archbishops, other leading faith figures.

In 1989 while covering a speech by then-Archbishop Rembert Weakland, an audience member took the stage and hit Weakland with a rolled-up stack of papers, according to Murphy's former editor, Jim Slocum. The man then headed straight to his car and fled the scene. Murphy jumped in her car and chased down the driver just to get a quote.

Sean Murphy said his mother was a balancing and loving force in his life who continues to inspire him. He remembers that she was incredibly intelligent and made the best pies he ever ate, often experimenting with different flavors. He added that despite his mother's small stature she was an enormous force who showed him daily that life has no limits.

Slocum, described her as "driven but courteous," and one of the best reporters he ever worked with.

"She always wanted to get it right and get it first," he said. "She was competitive like that, but at the same time she always had an empathy for her subjects."

Another former colleague, Mary Zahn Hanin, recalled when she and Murphy worked on a story together and learned that a lead source was having suicidal thoughts. Murphy made sure the woman was taken care of by those who could help in her time of need, Zahn Hanin said. The woman would go on to repair her life, in part because of Murphy’s caring actions, she said. Murphy was always willing to do whatever it took for the better of others and she was “the greatest friend anyone could ask for.”

Murphy loved traveling and often went on trips with her husband, and with other couples. They took ski trips to Colorado and toured Europe.

After Murphy retired from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, she and her husband, Dale, moved from Milwaukee to a home they built in Sister Bay in 2000.

In 2003, Murphy was inducted into the Milwaukee Press Club Hall of Fame, an organization that recognizes excellence in Wisconsin journalism.

After her husband died, Murphy move to North Carolina to be near her son. That's where she passed away.

Murphy is survived by her son, Sean of Wake Forest, N.C.; daughter Shannon Haberli (Joseph) of Egg Harbor, WI; grandchildren, Shayna and Joey Haberli, and Jackson White; great-granddaughters Adalynn and Kaisley Wilkinson.

Her parents and a grandchild, Drew Murphy, preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held in late June in Egg Harbor. The family suggests that friends may remember Mary Beth with donations to the Northern Sky Theater, 9058 County Road A, Fish Creek, WI 54212.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Longtime Milwaukee journalist Mary Beth Murphy covered religion