Helene Verhulst Murphy

Helene Verhulst Murphy, a gracious and elegant woman, passed on October 21 at the age of 96. Helene was a native of Montevideo, Uruguay and was born to Jean & Helene Verhulst of Belgium on June 15, 1928. Helene studied at French and American schools in Montevideo and spoke French, Spanish, Portuguese & English fluently. Helene grew up in a traditional home and became an expert in traditional activities for young girls in those years.

At a young age Helene took up golf and was later a champion golfer in Uruguay. She managed her own chicken farm with over 3,000 chickens and produced the finest chickens and eggs in Uruguay. She later lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sao Paolo, Brazil & Rio de Janeiro before moving to the United States in 1970. She married Hunter (Jack) Murphy, and they lived on the Westside of Jacksonville until his death in early 2001. Jack was a member of several civic organizations, including the Big Brothers through which Jack and Helene informally adopted Terry Smith, age 8, and helped to raise him and mentor him during his youth. Terry graduated from Hampton University and became a successful writer and is a devoted adopted son to Helene to this day.

One of Helene’s passions was French cooking, and she attended la Varenne cooking school in Paris. Later she had the opportunity to work with Jacques Pepin when he produced some TV shows locally. She meticulously studied recipes of Pepin and Julia Child and became well known for serving superb meals at home highlighted by masterful desserts based on their recipes. Her dinner parties and luncheons were often written up in the Florida Times Union by Helen Marshall.

After Jack Murphy’s death in early 2001 Helene met Bill Rodriguez, a retired Navy Captain, and the two become close companions until her death. Together they traveled extensively to Europe and South America and moved to Fleet Landing in Atlantic Beach in 2012.

Helene died peacefully at Fleet Landing under the superb care of the staff of Nancy House and Community Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Community Hospice of Jacksonville, K-9’s for Warriors, or the USO.

Helene will be cremated by A Dignified Alternative – Hatcher Cremations of Jacksonville. A small celebration of life will be held for close friends at Fleet Landing at a later date.