Friends and colleagues took to social media to remember Mary Murphy upon the news of her death on Wednesday. Murphy was the longest-serving female legislator and second-longest-serving member of the Minnesota House.

Murphy, a Democrat who represented Hermantown, died at the age of 85 on Christmas Day, just two days after suffering a stroke.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Fridley, announced Murphy’s death in a post on Facebook, which read: “She was a wonderful state representative and human being. So many people will miss her, and remember her and her accomplishments fondly.”

“Mary was in so many ways ahead of her time and was often the only woman at the table in northern Minnesota,” said U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar in a statement. “That’s changed now thanks to her trailblazing legacy.”

Rep. Mary Murphy, DFL-Hermantown. (Courtesy of the Minnesota House of Representatives)

Murphy was first elected to serve House District 14B from 1977-1982, and went on to serve District 8A from 1983-2002, District 6B from 2003-2012 and District 3B from 2013-2022.

In 2022, Murphy lost the District 3B race against Republican Natalie Zeleznikar by a mere 33 votes.

Zeleznikar, who retained the seat in the 2024 election, expressed condolences in a Facebook post, writing, “Mary worked hard for northern Minnesota, a place she called home her entire lifetime. Her dedication, service and hard work can be witnessed in multiple projects across the communities she served. I was honored to know her, and work with her on senior care issues during my nursing home administrator years.”

A Hermantown High School graduate, Murphy earned a bachelor’s degree in history and economics from the College of St. Scholastica, and attended graduate school at multiple universities.

Before retiring from the classroom in 1997, Murphy also served as a history and social studies teacher at Central High School in Duluth for more than three decades, a career Klobuchar cited in her tribute.

“As a former teacher, she was a strong advocate for improving education for our children and she also fought to protect victims of domestic violence and stalking,” Klobuchar’s statement said.

Murphy had championed programs like Head Start and DARE, as well as initiating legislation to fund statewide juvenile correction facilities.

Last January, St. Louis County commissioners honored Murphy by renaming the Environmental Trust Fund in her honor.

Having worked alongside Murphy during the redistricting process in 2010, Deputy Mayor of St. Paul Jaime Tincher commented, “Mary didn’t raise her voice, she didn’t engage in political sparring. Instead, she led with the quiet power of earned trust and deep credibility. Her effectiveness was rooted in the respect she had built over decades of service, and her ability to bring people together in ways that made them feel heard and valued, no matter their political affiliation.”

During Murphy’s time in the House, she chaired multiple committees, including the judiciary finance, ethics, energy, and state government and veterans affairs committees.

“As chair of bonding and later the Ways and Means Committee, she demonstrated an unwavering dedication to institutional support, always willing to offer her wisdom and advice on how best to approach the financial needs of our zoos,” state Rep. John Huot, DFL-Rosemount, posted on Facebook.

“Mary was a remarkable legislator and a compassionate friend and mentor to many,” state Rep. Jay Xiong, DFL-St. Paul, said in a Facebook post. “Her unwavering commitment to her community and tireless advocacy for those in need have left an indelible mark on our state. Mary’s legacy will continue to inspire us all as we strive to uphold the values she championed.”

Murphy left a legacy of advocacy for women’s rights, health care, criminal justice, and labor and advocacy issues.

Gov. Tim Walz spoke of Murphy as a “true champion for the Northland” in his post on Facebook and said “Gwen (his wife) and I are sending our love to her family.”

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