CAUSES OF DEATH

Mary Ellen McCarthy Murphy
born November 1863 in Newark, New Jersey
died November 20, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey - age 75 years.

Father: Michael McCarthy (1835-)
Mother: Mary Ann Cleary (1840-)

Spouse: Matthew F. Murphy (1863-1933)

Cause of death: Chronic Endocarditis

Chronic Endocarditis is a bacterial infection of the lining of the heart. Symptoms include tiredness, weakness, fever, night sweats, aches & pains, and heart murmur. Death usually occurs due to the weakness of the patient and the patient's heart.

Four years earlier, Mary Ellen's husband, Matthew F. Murphy, died of the same disease.

Endocarditis is caused by bacteria (or in rare cases, by fungi) that enter the bloodstream and settle on the inside of the heart, usually on the heart valves. Bacteria can invade your bloodstream in many ways, including during some dental and surgical procedures. If you don't take care of your teeth, having your teeth cleaned or even brushing your teeth can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream.

If you have a normal heart, you have a low risk for endocarditis. But if you have a problem with your heart that affects normal blood flow through the heart , it is more likely that bacteria or fungi will attach to heart tissue. This puts you at a higher risk for endocarditis.

Matthew and Mary Ellen lived and died at 77 Murray Street in Newark. I have no idea what environmental conditions may have existed to influence their deaths. From at least 1920 through 1940, they lived with their children in the large, beautiful house. In fact, three of the children, Helen, Joe and Marie lived there. Joe and Helen lived into their late 70's and Marie was 90 when she died in 1985.

LYNN'S FAMILY WEBPAGE