Lorraine Murphy; Villa Esperanza Backer

Lorraine Johnson Murphy, a fourth-generation Californian who worked extensively with a Pasadena agency that provides education and care for the developmentally disabled, has died. She was 74.

The widow of insurance executive William E. Murphy died Tuesday at St. John of God Nursing Home in Los Angeles, her family said.

Earlier this year, she was selected woman of the year by Villa Esperanza, the agency for the disabled. She had also devoted time and money to such organizations as Loyola High School, St. Cyril of Jerusalem Church, the Immaculate Heart High School Auxiliary, the National Charity League, the Nazareth House Auxiliary and the nursing home where she died.

Born Marie Lorraine Johnson, Murphy was the great-granddaughter of Gideon J. Woodward, who sailed around the tip of South America in the days of the Gold Rush. He had no plans to mine for gold himself but instead bankrolled miners intent on striking it rich and practiced medicine.

Another root in Murphy’s family tree was planted in Los Angeles by her grandfather, John A. Woodward, a meatpacker who founded a downtown market and packing firm called Woodward and Bennett. The company eventually became a part of the well-known Farmer John enterprise.

Unusual in her own generation, Murphy continued her ancestors’ tradition of having large families. She gave birth to 11 children, and reared 10 after the death of her son Lawrence.

“I’m more afraid of earthquakes than I am of overpopulation,” she told The Times in 1971, shortly after the Sylmar temblor and at a time when demographers were beginning to fret about world overcrowding.

“We believe in big families,” she said. “Tremendous power and loyalty evolve out of big families, where everyone helps each other in what is really a beautiful relationship.”

Murphy is survived by sons William, Dennis, Richard, John, Patrick and Timothy; daughters Mary Elizabeth Montanio, Kathleen, Lorraine Bonelli and Laura Ann Green; brothers Charles and Woodward Johnson; sister Laura Donnelly; and 24 grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday by Murphy’s brother-in-law, Father Lawrence B. Murphy, at St. Cyril, 4601 Firmament Ave., Encino.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Residential Care Program, Villa Esperanza, 2116 E. Villa St., Pasadena, CA 91107.