Barbara Eko Murphy

By Jeff Cancellosi

Barbara Eko Murphy, December 30, 2014.

Photo: (c) 2014 Jeff Cancelosi

Rest in peace, my dear friend and fellow artist Barbara Eko Murphy (June 22, 1940 - December 20, 2023). Barbara was the glue and inspiration for so many people in her life. Barbara was love.

Barbara Eko Murphy was born to Waino Eko and Ailie Lindquist Eko. Her brother, Wayne Eko, was born on June 9, 1943. Both Wayne and Barbara attended Durfee Middle School and Longfellow School in Detroit, Michigan. The family relocated to Dearborn Heights in 1954. Barbara attended Lowrey High School.

After graduating from LHS in 1958, Barbara was selected as one of the first 25 dancers in the Detroit City Ballet Company, where she danced from 1958 to 1960. She started ballet lessons at age 8 and continued until she was 21. Barbara was married to Ray Kruszewski 1960-1983. Ray passed away in 1989. They had two children, Mark and Kevin Kruszewski. (Mark passed away suddenly in 1997.)

Barbara attended Wayne State University, graduating in December 1965. She received her teaching certificate at the University of Michigan and earned her master's degree at Eastern Michigan University. She taught for over 34 years in Livonia Public Schools. She taught at Cleveland, Kennedy, Randolph, Clay, and Taylor Elementary. She retired on a medical disability in 1999, after three heart surgeries.

Barbara married fellow teacher, Tom Murphy, on June 4, 1988. Tom was with Barbara every step of the rest of her life, supporting her in all her pursuits and showing incredible dedication throughout her fight with ALS the last few years.

Learning never stops! Barbara began learning how to create art when she was 60 years old. Over the next 20 years, she received 42 fine art awards, had 53 solo shows, and had pieces selected for over 450 juried shows. She also belonged to Lawrence Street Gallery in Ferndale, Michigan.

In the last year, as Barbara’s illness progressed, she shared the above biography with me. She also left the following message to be shared after her passing: “Barbara hopes that she inspired her students and her artist friends to continue with what they love. She thanks you for both your friendship and caring. God bless you.” Barbara asked that contributions be made to Angela Hospice in Livonia (where she spent her final days) and to ALS of Michigan in Southfield.