Erin Daugherty (Murphy) Morris

Erin Daugherty (Murphy) Morris left our earthly home on August 18, 2023, surrounded by the loving support of her family. Her time was cut short by metastatic breast cancer, but her life could not be decreased in the least by her shortened timeline. Having been a cancer survivor since 2018, she lived with purpose, with her family as her top priority. Always wanting to leave the world a better place for her children and future generations, she cared deeply about social and environmental justice issues, and taking care of our planet.

After graduating from Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville, she attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and then graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Natural Resource Conservation and Management. She received her Masters degree in Environmental Geography from West Virginia University in Morgantown and worked for several years in the field as an environmental scientist. Erin and Paul were married in 2013, and agreed it was the best decision they ever made. After having their two children, Erin switched careers to join Jeb Advertising, a locally owned small business that has been in the family for three decades. She served on the Nulu Business Association board, an organization focused on the vitality, diversity, and success of the Nulu neighborhood, a location that she cherished for its unique spaces and wonderful people. She also served on the Windy Hills Tree Board to help build on Louisville’s tree canopy and legacy of green space. Raised by two gourmets before the word “foodie” existed, she loved to cook and appreciate food and wine. The highlight of every week was a family dinner at her parents’ house. Her large extended family taught her how to host a party long before she was old enough to throw one, and hosting became a favorite way for her to make memories with her friends and family, especially her kids. She enjoyed spending time outdoors – often a family hike at a local park, a walk through beautiful Cave Hill, or simply coffee on the deck on a sunny day. Following her diagnosis, she sought connection with other metastatic breast cancer patients through fundraising with local and national organizations. She also found immense comfort in meeting a close group of other incurable cancer patients online.

Erin is survived by her loving husband of 10 years, Paul Morris, her two best-in-the-world children, Maddie and Teddy, her wonderful parents Richard and Daugherty Murphy, and extended family and friends far too numerous to list here. She is proceeded in death by her brother, August “Gus” Murphy and leaves determined and ecstatic to greet him again. Also going before her were her grandparents, Richard T. Murphy, Sr., Margaret (Herberman) Murphy, Jerome A. Dillon, Sr., Phebe (Hurst) Dillon, and Betty (Byerly) Dillon.

Erin saw the world with her own eyes, she gathered sunsets in her prime, she planted trees she’ll never climb. She lived, loved, and was loved, as fully as possible, wishing only to leave this world in a celebration of the life she created and enjoyed. We will gather for a Memorial Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 501 Cherrywood Road, Louisville, KY 40207, on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 10:00 AM. Visitation will be at church beginning at 9:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Kentuckiana Gilda’s Club, Waterfront Botanical Gardens, or the Cave Hill Heritage Foundation. Please also consider sending a card to Erin’s children, the people she wants wrapped in the most love at this time. She would love for them to receive an old photo, a funny story, or a memory along with your encouragement.