Anne Murdoch Shipps

Anne Murdoch Shipps (née Anne Tilden Murdoch) was born on February 1,1955 in Washington State. Her father, William Sutcliffe Murdoch, died in military service when she was just three years old. Anne spent her childhood in different places with her mother, Carol Macdonald Murdoch, and her brothers, David and John Murdoch: Memphis, Tennessee; Newton, Massachusetts; West Germany; Washington, D.C. Anne was an imaginative child, and she loved language. She enjoyed reading, writing stories and poems, and learning French.

In 1977, Anne graduated from Rice University in Houston, Texas. She was active in the campus literary magazine, and majored in English. While at Rice, she met her future husband, Karl Shipps. They married in 1981 and together had three children: Joan, Ruth, and Grace. Anne went on to pursue a master's degree in Special Education from the University of Maryland.

Anne then began her career as a dedicated and passionate school teacher to children with disabilities. She taught in Prince George’s County Public Schools, and volunteered her time with organizations that support the greater inclusion of people with disabilities in society, including the Prince George's County Council for Exceptional Children. She taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes for children at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Landover Hills, Maryland. Anne loved to read murder mysteries, vacation at her grandmother’s home in Craftsbury Common, Vermont, garden, eat shellfish, and spend time with her grandchildren, Ophelia and Alice.

Anne and her family were shocked when, in June 2023, she was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare and uncurable form of brain cancer. Anne bravely underwent surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and inpatient rehabilitation. But in the end, the cancer was too strong. Anne spent the last months of her life at Malta House, a Catholic care home in Chillum, Maryland. Family and friends visited often, and Anne spent time praying the rosary, participating in lively book club discussions, and winning at bingo.

In addition to her children and grandchildren, Anne is survived by her brothers. Anne is also survived by her nieces: Kate, Missy, Ellie, Sarah, Caroline, Emily, and Annie. Anne dearly loved her family, and the friends she cherished through church, volunteer work, and school.

A service for Anne will take place on Saturday, November 8, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Church (1830 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C.) In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Arc of Prince George’s County. At a later date, Anne will be buried next to her husband Karl (Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, Retired) in Arlington Cemetery.

Anne's memorial service will be streamed live and will be viewable at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/DignityWashington/.

If you plan to attend the service, we would be grateful if you could RSVP here.