Alba Murphy Mezquita

Alba Mezquita (nee) Murphy, age 90, of Wyckoff, NJ formerly of Oradell, NJ and Union City, NJ, passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2024 surrounded by her family at Heritage Manor Nursing Home. She was the beloved wife of 51 years of the late Juan Gregorio Mezquita, devoted mother of Marlene Marta Mezquita (Jorge Rodriguez) of Oradell, NJ and John Gregory Mezquita of North Bergen, NJ. She was a dear sister of Lillian Murphy Strauss (Rodolfo) of Key Biscayne, FL, Eduardo Adolfo Murphy (Mercedes Caña) of Havana, Cuba and Estrella Murphy Senande (Ramon) of Lyndhurst, NJ all of whom predeceased her. She was the loving grandmother of Maria de los Angeles, Natalie Marie, John Gregory and Isabel Cristina (Joseph Thomas) of North Bergen, NJ. She was a dear aunt of Yanet (Scott) of Easton, PA, Grisel (Peter) of Sparta, NJ, Marilyn (Ron) of Pinecrest, FL, Maureen (Ricardo) of Lakeland, FL, Lillian (Rich) of Rahway, NJ, Mercy (Carlos), Lourdes, Eduardo, Angel (Carmen) of Miami Lakes, FL. She was also a dear friend to many at the nursing home. She was a Claims Adjuster (retired) at Citibank of North America, 111 Wall Street, NY, NY. Alba was born in Havana, Cuba in 1934 to Eduardo Murphy and Estrella Garcia. She worked at Reader’s Digest and Sears, Roebuck & Co. in the 1950s. She married Juan Gregorio Mezquita in 1959 and had two children, Marlene Marta and John Gregory. Having endured communism in the 1960s, the family of four emigrated to Spain in 1970 as political refugees with the assistance of her beloved sister Lillian and brother-in-law Rodolfo. Ultimately, Alba and Juan Gregorio reached their beloved U.S.A. in 1972, reclaiming U.S. residency after having lost it in 1959 due to the political climate at the time. She was devoted to her family and held conservative values. She was a woman of faith who respected the sanctity of life. She loved her family deeply including her two cats, Brad and Silver. She was a devotee of St. Gema Galgani, praying her Novena monthly. Her favorite charities were St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Among her favorite things were spending time with her four grandchildren, Christmas, family gatherings, playing piano, slapstick comedy (I Love Lucy, Martin & Lewis, Marx Brothers and Benny Hill), reading text books and politics. She was proud of her USA citizenship, Irish heritage and having American-born grandchildren. Her children are eternally grateful to both parents for the many years of sacrifice that allow them and their children to enjoy freedom. In lieu of flowers, the Mezquita family would greatly appreciate a donation to be made in memory of Alba to the Alzheimer's Association. To make a donation please click here.

Alba Murphy Mezquita

March 9, 1934 - October 19, 2024