Catherine "Toots" Murphy

Catherine “Toots” Murphy, 78, of Barrington passed away peacefully at home at Oak Knolls Farm on January 10, 2018. She was born on November 26, 1939 in Racine, WI to Denis and Anna (nee Brown) Murphy.

Toots had been around horses her whole life and passed her trainers test at River Downs in 1961. The name Murphy has been synonymous with first flight performers on the flat or over fences. In 1966, she became the first female to train a Carolina Cup Champion when she saddled James B. Holloway’s Taneha to victory. She went on to work for Mrs. Virginia Reinhardt at Oak Knolls Farm in Barrington from 1966 until her death. During her time at Oak Knolls, she foaled mares, rode fox hunters, and hunted with the Fox River Valley Hunt.

She loved her Chicago sports teams and University of Kentucky basketball. She enjoyed playing tennis and watching and feeding birds. Above all, she loved her dogs. She was very loyal and devoted to her family and friends, often serving as a confidant to many across the generations. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Toots is survived by her sister, Ellen (the late John) Glass, god-son, Mike (Laura) Fitch and their children, Tyler and Trevor; god-daughter, Virginia “Boo” Fitch; and by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brothers, Dennis, Patrick, Daniel, James, John, Robert and William.

Memorial mass will be Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 11 AM at Saint Anne Catholic Community, 120 N. Ela St. (corner of Franklin and Ela Sts.), Barrington, where the family will receive friends from 10 AM until the time of mass. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Make a Wish Foundation, Illinois Chapter,  640 N. LaSalle Dr, Ste 280, Chicago, IL 60654, www.illinois.wish.org or to Old Friends Farm (for retired race horses), 1841 Paynes Depot Rd. Georgetown, KY 40324, http://www.oldfriendsequine.org/ or to JourneyCare Foundation, 2050 Claire Ct., Glenview, IL 60025, www.journeycare.org/donate .