Grace Ahn-Murphy

Grace kyung-Sin Ahn-Murphy (age 53) left her family here in Washington, New Jersey, to continue with her journey without us until we meet again in heaven.

For the last ten years of her life she battled five separate major cancers, which metastasis caused numerous other tumors throughout her body. She bravely not only fought to the end but enjoyed her life frequently traveling throughout the United States and world. She was an avid reader and although she had her own interests in reading about crimes, murder, history, and other genres, her favorite reading material were books stolen from my book collection or Barnes & Noble raids.

Grace lost both her birth parents at an early age, but leaves behind a son Bradley age 25, daughter Samantha age 21, husband Sean, brother Dave, sister-in-laws Linda, Helen, Lisa, and Lynsey, brother-in-laws Andrew and Murph, nieces Abby, Alicia, Lilly, and Mayah, nephews Luke and Marcus, mother-in-law Valerie, father-in-law John, Furry Son Tiger, two furry grandbabies Sable and Rusty, and many, many friends.

Grace was a deacon in the First Presbyterian Church of Washington, NJ and served many people. In this life there is family, we are born with, and also many extended families that come from bonds of friendship so strong that it finally transcends friendship. Grace had many such relationships and extended family from all religions, faiths and creeds. Big love for all who visited during her last three hospital stays during the “Ahn-Murphy 2026 hospital tour” (Grace hated hospitals unless she worked in them)

Thus she chose to come home to Washington, before returning home to God at 3:00pm 3/19/2026, she may have been the only person to beat Chuck Norris in a race.. In the end, she peacefully left us while listening to a discussion about vacations and family. With her at time of death were her husband, son, daughter, neighbor (Diane), bridesmaid and best friend from high school in West Orange (Jojie), and fellow Deacon Pauline Albrecht who also is one of Grace’s most loyal friends. Her brother David had left to pick up other family members and Grace may have chosen the time to leave to spare him the pain as he knew her the longest. Many others were planning to visit, we thought we had more time, but alas it was not to be..

Grace came to the USA at the age of thirteen when the space shuttle exploded, she interpreted for her family like many other children of immigrants and learned the language and culture of the United States quickly. She missed her 54th Birthday by a matter of a couple of weeks, but she was always looking forward and asking God for just a little bit more time. Grace had multiple degrees and was a special education teacher, last teaching in Paterson, New Jersey, she also worked in some of the toughest schools and at one time had her hair set a light by a student and she went back to school the next day. That was just how tough and strong she was, in fact during COVID she taught from our bedroom running back and forth from the bathroom due to complications with cancer, and then visited her hospitalized family member in the hospital. Maybe, I am sharing too much, but this incredible, strong, loving, wonderful woman deserves every bit of praise although she would be too humble and always try to think of others. Often saying, “I cannot have people visit me in hospital I will have to entertain”.

Grace was full of life, humor, and love; many people say that she made them feel like the most important person in the room. Grace also worked for Matheny School and Hospital inc. which is where we met and fell in love. Having a variety of interests including English football, college basketball, baseball, and especially tennis. Grace was full of adventure, whether it was joining a line dance, setting up a butterfly garden, volunteering for a favorite charity, getting resources for underprivileged schools, traveling the world, donating, or like many teachers in New Jersey individually funding their own classrooms Grace was all in. She loved flowers, but preferred us (Other family members to do the gardening) she just watched the flowers grow.

Personally, Grace made me want to be a better person, she did not fear death and was at peace. Although she wanted a little more time she was accepting of God’s will. So for those who have the opportunity, time, and resources to join us… Grace will entertain one last time. Please follow her Facebook page and share any pictures or personal stories you have of her.

Finally, Family and friends may pay their respects on Thursday April 2, 2026 from 5-8 PM at the Warren Hills Memorial Home. 234 W. Washington Ave. Washington. NJ 07882. A Memorial Service celebrating Grace’s life will be held on Saturday April 4, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church Of Washington. 40 East Church St. Washington.