Caroline Murphy, Wisconsin – The Camp Jorn YMCA community is in mourning following the recent passing of Caroline Murphy. A dedicated member of the camp for many years, Caroline served as a camper, counselor, horseback riding instructor, and full-time professional, profoundly impacting the lives of countless campers and staff.
The news of her passing was confirmed in a heartfelt social media post on the official Camp Jorn YMCA page. The post expressed deep sadness over the loss, stating, "Camp lost a friend recently and sadness prevails. Caroline Murphy spent many years at Camp as a camper, counselor, horseback riding instructor, and a full-time professional making good things happen. She impacted hundreds of campers and staff. Always loved seeing her working in the Horsemanship Program. She was one of a KIND!"
In honor of Caroline’s love for animals and the natural world, her family has requested that donations be made to PAWS Chicago or The Nature Conservancy in lieu of flowers or attendance at the memorial program. They also encourage people to share their favorite pictures and stories to celebrate Caroline’s joy and passion.
The Camp Jorn community has been sharing their memories and condolences on social media. Emir Butler wrote, "Sweet Caroline. This one hits hard. Absolutely devastating to hear about Caroline’s passing. She was kind, sassy, bubbly with a fiercely independent personality and deep love for all things CJ and animals. We worked together for over a decade."
Lynette Gilbert-Palbitska shared, "Caroline invested her time and her heart with ‘Thousands’ of campers. Camp Jorn was lucky to have her on staff. Prayers to her family."
Drew Killeen reminisced, "A few years back I reposted this picture, taken by Emily Andersen with the caption ‘My heart in the north… yes Caroline Murphy I know what I’m doing… lol.’ She responded with ‘lol! I know you do. Such a great time.’ Winter camp was always a long…" He continued, "She was always looking out for everyone, young, old, staff, camper or friend of any species. She will always be missed and never forgotten."
Other heartfelt tributes include Talia Tiram’s, "Sending love for her memory and her family. Her kind spirit will shine on," and Lori Eshoo’s, "So very sad. She was a great person and a great leader at Camp Jorn. She will be missed."
The outpouring of grief and fond memories highlights the significant impact Caroline Murphy had on those around her. The community’s collective mourning underscores the deep connections formed through her years of dedication and service.