Caren, 71, died on Oct. 6, 2024, in Springfield, Illinois. Born on July 28,
1953, in Litchfield, Illinois, she graduated from Carlinville Community High
School before pursing higher education at Southern Illinois University. She
received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Sangamon State University on
Aug. 5, 1989. Caren dedicated her career to public service, working for the
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. As a senior manager in the
Office of Administrative Services, Caren played a vital role in shaping
programs that supported children and families across the state.
Beyond her professional life, Caren
had a profound love for animals. This affection was evident in the way she
cared for and cherished the companionship of animals throughout her life.
Caren was proceeded in death by her
husband Bruce C. Jones; mother Lavonne Murphy; and father Richard Murphy.
Caren is survived by her sister
Jerilynn Murphy-Webber, of Philomath, Oregon; brother Richard Mark Murphy and
sister-in-law Dawn Murphy, of Naperville, Illinois; her nephew Dane Murphy, of
Berkely, California; and nieces, Sydney Murphy McGinnis of Plainfield,
Illinois, and Brynn Murphy of Tucson, Arizona.
Caren’s memory will live on in the
hearts of those who knew her.
This article appears in Combating human trafficking.
