Packaging journalist Mary Murphy passes away

Gail Hunt, editor of Machinery Update magazine, remembers packaging industry journalist Mary Murphy, who passed away on May 16 2011

Mary Murphy’s first jaunt into the world of packaging started with a freelance assignment for Packaging Week writing that year’s Interpack feature. It seems ironic that nearly 25 years later she would die during the same exhibition, where news of her collapse made for a very subdued party being held for the International Packaging Press Organisation (IPPO). But she would not have approved of this, as she would have wanted her IPPO colleagues and packaging industry friends to celebrate her life, rather than mourn her passing. 

Such was her influence on the packaging industry that there can’t be many people who have not had some contact with her when she was at Packaging Week, which then became Packaging Magazine before being sold to Packaging News. She was especially well connected with the movers and shakers of the industry – of which she was one – and she could count many CEOs of leading packaging companies among her friends. 

She joined Packaging Week full-time in 1987 as features editor but quickly rose to editor the next year. At this time, it is fair to say that the magazine had not had the impact the publishers must have been wanting for a weekly magazine competing against two monthlies but this all changed when she took charge. Her journalistic skills acquired in Fleet Street, her no-nonsense approach, her inherent fairness and professional integrity took the magazine to new heights that made life on the established magazines much tougher. And in truth, her work and her passionate style made for a much stronger UK packaging press as a whole. 

She was sometimes known as ‘Scary Mary’ as she certainly didn’t suffer fools gladly and would tell you in no uncertain terms if she felt you were wasting her time. But this only added to her reputation, which she played perfectly to ensure her magazine was the best it could be. 

Managing editor and publisher roles for the Packaging Magazine Group followed where she was responsible for the introduction of the Packaging Industry Awards, www.dotpackaging.com, the newsletters Packaging Business, Packaging Innovation and Packaging Environment as well as a series of industry reports. 

In 2002, Mary formed her own company MAJIC with her partner Audrey and has worked as an independent publisher, PR consultant and conference organizer for clients such as The Packaging Society, Reed Exhibitions, William Reed Business Media and the PPMA, for which she edited Machinery Update magazine. 

Above all of these achievements, however, is the fact that she was a true friend to many people throughout her career and she delighted in other people’s success along the way. She was also bloody good fun. She loved a drink; she loved a cigarette and she was a good laugh. If you were ever lucky enough to have a night out with Mary, you could guarantee it would never be boring. 

She will be truly missed by her family and friends, but also by the packaging industry for which she was an unlikely but extremely effective champion. 

Many people wished to pay tribute to Mary in this obituary and a small selection is included here: 

Ron Marsh, CEO RPC Group: ‘Mary Murphy was an excellent journalist: knowledgeable and committed, a great promoter of and believer in the packaging industry, and much respected throughout. I will always be grateful for the support she gave to RPC over the years.’

John Durston, director Linpac Senior Holdings: ‘Mary was a staunch supporter of the UK packaging industry. She made it her business to network with senior executives, who responded openly to her, knowing that she would report with fairness and discretion. Mary and Ron Pigeon were a legendary team, who did a great deal to raise the profile and status of the industry. We have lost a great friend and advocate.’

Pauline Covell, former editor of Packaging Review in the UK and IPPO colleague: ‘I respected Mary more than any other packaging journalist worldwide. On the rare occasions I beat her to a story it was probably just due to good luck on my part! She was the friendliest of rivals always working hard and playing hard; great company on trips we shared. She even organized a great retirement surprise party for me. The packaging press worldwide mourns her and misses her dearly.’

Gill Loubser, editor Packaging Magazine in South Africa and IPPO colleague: ‘Mary will be sadly missed by all who knew her, on both a personal and a professional level. She will be especially missed by her many friends in the world of packaging journalism. Always bringing a sense of fun and laughter to any meeting of IPPO members, Mary was also thoroughly professional, as well as being a first-class writer and journalist. My heartfelt sympathy goes to Mary’s family and especially to Audrey at this time of tragic loss.’

The service for Mary will take place on Tuesday 7 June 2011 at 1pm at Kent and Sussex Crematorium (Tunbridge Wells) Benhall Mill Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5JJ. Telephone: 01892 523 894. Please let Audrey know if you are going to attend on: majic.audrey@tiscali.co.uk to help with arrangements. 

Mary’s wishes were to have donations rather than flowers (other than from family and those very close to her). Two charities have been named for you to select from should you wish to make a donation: National Deaf Children’s Society and Macmillan Cancer Support. Cheques should be made payable to the charity and sent with reference to Mary to: Arthur C Towner Ltd, 19 Market Square, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0XB.