Gwendolyn Curtis Murphy

Gwendolyn Curtis Murphy, RD, PhD, passed away at home in February 2026, after a long journey with dementia.

Gwen was born in 1953, in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Phyllis Steen and Gorden Murphy. She grew up in “The Valley”, attended Oberlin College and participated in the Oberlin Coop, where she met Lloyd Michener. She attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology, receiving a master’s in nutrition, and then the Simmons University’s program in dietetics. Gwen and Lloyd married in a Quaker ceremony in 1976. They then moved to Durham NC, where she completed her dietetic internship and worked at Duke Hospital, specializing in pediatric nutrition. She happily paused her work with the birth of Rebecca, followed by Joshua, and returned to work part time while pursuing training in education. She received a PhD from the UNC School of Education, followed by work at the UNC and Duke Schools’ of Medicine, assessing and supporting students and residents with learning difficulties. She continued to enjoy being a mother, spouse, pediatric dietitian and education consultant for many years, volunteering her time at diabetic camp “Carolina Trails” every summer. One of Gwen’s favorite projects was the “Tooth Fairy”, a mobile van which provides dental care to children at Durham schools. Gwen’s calling was gently helping others, whether they be her family, children with newly diagnosed diabetes, medical students struggling to learn in a high-stakes environment, or children with dental pain that was keeping them from attending school. She was most at peace in her garden, where she grew large quantities of flowers, which she gave away to others. Often known as the “flower lady” she would frequently come to work with buckets of flowers for others to take and enjoy.

Gwen retired from work when she realized she was developing dementia and spent her last decade at home, in the garden when she could, and sitting in the sun-filled home she and Lloyd loved . She never lost her happy radiance, and passed away peacefully, surrounded by flowers and family.

Gwen leaves behind her spouse of 50 years, Lloyd Michener; daughter Rebecca Michener and her husband Devon McCurdy; son Joshua Michener, his wife Josie Miller and grandson Luca; and her siblings Greg Murphy, Janann Kaufman, Lance Murphy and Eric Murphy.

A memorial service will be held at SEEDS in Durham, NC 9:30-12:00 PM on Saturday April 18. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people act as Gwen would, and give someone a hug, bake them a cake, or give them a flower. She would like that.