Margaret N. Murphy, 99, of West Lafayette, formerly of Brookston, died at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2009, at Westminster Village in West Lafayette. She was born on November 18, 1909, in Columbus, Ohio, and was the daughter of the late John and Clara Schneider Nesbitt. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Ohio State University and a doctorate from the University of Michigan. Before coming to West Lafayette in 1944, she was on the faculties of Merrill-Palmer School in Detroit and the University of Maine. Mrs. Murphy was head of the department of child development and family life and was director of Purdue University Nursery School. She retired as professor emeritus in 1970. On June 17, 1950, she married Charles B. Murphy, who was in the history department at Purdue University. He preceded her in death on February 4, 1991. Mrs. Murphy was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Xi and had been listed in "Who's Who in America". She was co-author of a textbook titled "Growth and Development of the Young Child." Funeral services are 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home, Brookston, the Rev. Dr. Lelan D. McReynolds officiating. Interment to follow at Brookston IOOF Cemetery.