Michelle Murphy age 49, of Aztec was called home on June 14th, 2026. Michelle was born October 30th, 1976, in Fort Defiance, Arizona where she remained throughout her childhood. She was Nakai Dine’e, born for Tabaahi. Maternal grandparents were Tachiini and paternal grandparents were Todichinii. Raised with 4 younger siblings and one older brother, Michelle was the eldest daughter to Nellie and Tom Sr. Van Winkle. 

She graduated from Rehoboth Christian School in 1996. She then went on to work as an EMT for the Navajo Nation. During her time of work, she found time to get married. She married Etsitty Murphy in 2005. Shortly after they were married, in 2006, they decided to move from Navajo, New Mexico to Aztec, New Mexico. Michelle continued to work as an EMT for nearly 20 years during which she had two daughters Sierrah and Aspen. Michelle loved the outdoors and was always taking her family camping, hiking, fishing and taking them to races. She was athletic and always running, truly one of her passions. Michelle touched the hearts of many and was a light in everyone’s life. She was surrounded by many friends and family throughout her walk of life. She truly believed in the term Hozho, which means beauty, living and walking in beauty, and seeing the good in everything. 

She was proceeded in death by her grandparents, mother, father, and brothers. 

She survived by her daughters Sierrah and Aspen Murphy, Husband Etsitty Murphy, her siblings Tom Jr., Ryan Van Winkle, Tammy Calvin, Kayla Lee and her “adopted” sisters Janelle Leslie, Michelle Kennedy, and Debra Nichols.

We will celebrate her life on Saturday, June 27th at First Baptist Church Bloomfield, fellowship hall, at 11:00 a.m.