Loved ones remember Ida Murphy

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Ida Murphy, a woman killed in a bizarre crash, is being remembered by family and friends.

Friend and Neighbor Ruthie Hale said, “It was shocking when I heard about it.”

Friend Harrison Davis said, “What happened to her, you know what I mean, how do you go on? How do you address things like this?”

Murphy’s wake was at 10 a.m. Friday at the Antioch Baptist Church on Fillmore Avenue. That’s across the street from where she was killed by a falling light pole. It was knocked down by a driver after he was shot by police. Murphy was 54 years old.

Several people outside of the service for Murphy, described her as a one-of-a-kind person.

Pastor Darius Pridgen said, “It’s a sad day, to lose somebody from our community that’s been so instrumental. She belonged to this church, but she helped out at other churches. She helped out at our clothing pantry, helps here in the food pantry, so it’s a sad day.”

Many people say they learned a lot from Murphy, during the short time she walked this earth.

Friday Patricia Stallings said, “I’m going to be more patient with my grandkids, because she brought kids in the neighborhood to church every Sunday. She didn’t care how they looked, she had a bunch of them. They weren’t her kids, but they called her Grandma Ida and they respected her. And I respected her for that.”

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, “I don’t think a more wonderful example could be set, than the one Ida Murphy set in her life. What she did for her community, for her church and for the children in the community.”

Murphy leaves behind kids, grandkids and many loved ones.