My family sold our house recently and moved away from some dear friends. Last night we stopped by our old neighbor’s house to say goodbye. Deb Murphy is a dear friend and saying goodbye was very difficult. Deb is someone hard to leave and much too hard to forget.

I spend a great deal of time in my business helping professionals stand out, raise their visibility and make a lasting impression. Deb Murphy is one of those rare individuals who achieves all those qualities, just by living her life – her way. Deb is always visible (and quite often audible) in the neighborhood. She celebrates life and everyone around her. Her irreverence and self-deprecating nature makes her one of the most hilarious, personable and comfortable people you could ever hope to call friend.

If the desperate housewives in our cul-de-sac needed a girls’ night out, Deb was the one to make it happen - and don’t expect her to be the designated driver! I remember being awaken by the doorbell at 3:00 a.m. one summer evening, only to find Deb Murphy and another neighbor giggling in the porch light looking for a bottle of wine to keep the next door party going. I was happy to oblige. Another time I answered my door mid-afternoon to find her dressed in a full gorilla suit. Suburbia will never be the same.

Her husband John just rolls his eyes and their two adorable kids Katie and Connor think that all kids have a mom like that. No, just the lucky ones.

I think about all the work that goes into crafting a creative, memorable, unique and likeable brand. Deb Murphy makes it all seem effortless. She is all of those things and more.

So last night, we stopped in to say goodbye. I know she could hear us, even though she was unable to respond. We held her hand and told her how much she meant to us and about the wonderful impact she has made on this world and precious legacy she has left with her children. Deb Murphy never met a challenge in her life that she could stare down – except one. The cancer that will take her life in the next few hours will rob so many of us of a good friend and for others, a wonderful wife and mother. But her memory, her impact and her legacy are seared into our heart, minds and memories forever.

A good brand stays with you and makes a lasting impression. A good friend as well. I am forever changed.

Godspeed my dear friend.


David Avrin is known internationally as the Visibility Coach. A speaker, author, publicist, branding consultant and executive coach, David shows professionals how to stand apart and raise their profile in a competitive marketplace. Visit him online at www.visibilitycoach.com