Carol Ann Murphy

Carol Ann Lesniewski Murphy, 80 years old, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, passed away on January 22, 2025 in the loving arms of her family.She was born in Gallitzin, Pennsylvania on August 28, 1944 to Helen Fliss Lesniewski and Leo J. Lesniewski. She grew up in Akron, Ohio and graduated early at the age of 16 in 1961 with honors from North High School where she was voted nicest and most cooperative in her senior class. She worked and started college, leaving school to marry Jack G. Murphy, and moved to Atlanta, Georgia at the age of 21. They had one daughter, Jacquelin Ann, a few years later.She spent her career as a human resources specialist and worked mainly for the government including Social Security, IRS, the VA, and the CDC. She retired from the CDC after working her way up and achieving nearly the highest grade of GS 13, helping so many people and making dear work friends along the way.She loved growing plants, thrift shopping, and traveling. She was a passionate collector of whatever caught her fancy. She was extremely creative and could do or make anything - sewing, needlepoint, crocheting, knitting, drawing, painting, or any other project she could dream up. She was active and loved to take a walk every day she could. She was an avid reader and hoarder of books and magazines. She possessed a quick wit and a fabulous sense of humor. She loved doing crossword puzzles daily and could complete even the most challenging of them - in pen. She was genuinely kind to everyone, had the biggest, most loving heart, and was the best listener ever. She was truly happiest when she was surrounded by her little family - always loving, feeding, guiding, supporting, and spoiling us. She was the heart of our family and the glue that held us together, and she always will be. She was loved by all who knew her.Remaining to cherish Carol's memory are her husband Case ten Haaf; her daughter Jackie Miller Townsend and her son in law Josh Townsend; her granddaughters Esme Miller and Maslin Miller; her step granddaughter Chloe Center and her husband and son, Christian and Cayson Center; her stepmother Florence Lesniewski; her siblings Gene Lesniewski, Anna Lesniewski, Larry Lesniewski, and Greg Bond; her nieces Jenn Lesniewski Houston and Amy Lesniewski and their husbands and children; as well as many cousins and other relatives in her big Polish family and her many friends.She is preceded in death by her grandparents Maryan and Stella Lesniewski; her parents, Leo and Helen Lesniewski; and her first husband Jack Murphy.We are having a small family celebration of Carol's life and memories with no funeral but appreciate your support, love, and prayers. Please grow a plant, make something with your family, or share a random act of kindness in her honor!