Melissa Kelly Murphy

Melissa Murphy, age 50, of Lapeer, passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital with her family by her side. Melissa was born in Rochester, MI, on October 7, 1971, the daughter of Daniel and Rosemary (Boyle) Murphy.  Melissa grew up in North Branch and was a 1989 graduate of North Branch High School. She was a proud Bronco cheerleader and nobody rocked the 80s big hair look better than she did. Melissa received her Bachelor’s degree at Central Michigan University and then went on to get her Master’s degree at Eastern Michigan University. She spent her career as a social worker and therapist. On September 29, 2018, Melissa married Joe Kozlowski Jr in North Branch, and always said it was the best day of her life. Melissa loved her friends and family deeply, and enjoyed spending time with them.

Melissa is survived by her loving husband, Joe; her stepchildren, Max and Alex Kozlowski; her mother, Rosemary Arnholt; her father, Daniel Murphy; her siblings, Maureen (Brian) Baker, Graham (Annika) Arnholt, Ryan (Devon) Arnholt, and Danielle (Jon) Murphy; her father-in-law, Joseph Kozlowski; the Kozlowski family; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She was a wonderful aunt to Joe, Patrick, Adam, Ally, Brynn, Eliza, Maren, CJ, and Eliana, and a great best friend to Sherry Fricke.  She was preceded in death by her step-father, Michael Arnholt, all of her grandparents, and the best cat in the world, Olive.

Memorials in Melissa’s name may be made to the family.

The family will be present for visitation on Saturday, March 12, 2022, 1:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. at Blackburn Chapel-Martin Funeral Home.  Cremation will follow.

You may share an online condolence to the family at www.blackburnchapel.com

Arrangements by Blackburn Chapel-Martin Funeral Home

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