Connie Murphy is our May Member Spotlight and is affectionately dubbed "GanstaGram" by her six adoring grandchildren. Constance (Connie) is a lifelong Staten Islander and has been happily married to Michael Murphy for 51 years. She will be celebrating Mother's Day with her two sons, Michael and Thomas, their spouses, Liz and Stephanie, and her six loving grandchildren, ranging in age from 12 to 19 years old. However, each year she kicks off her special day at our annual Mother's Day Bingo Brunch before meeting up with her family for dinner and continued fun. Her philosophy on cooking is, "If I don't have to prepare it, I enjoy it that much more," she exclaimed with a laugh! She has spent countless hours cheering on her grandchildren at their ball games, especially basketball for Holy Child, Tottenville, and St. Joseph by the Sea.

Connie worked for the Staten Island Advance in 1972, then for the Department of Motor Vehicles before heading into Manhattan to work at the New York Stock Exchange. She took a leave from the workforce to raise her children before returning in 2003 at Bayley Seton Hospital. That same year, she was diagnosed with MS and experienced several medical issues, which led her to join the Greenbelt Recreation Center to stay fit, healthy, and committed to an exercise routine. She is also a two-time breast cancer survivor and embodies resilience, bravery, and strength.

As the facility was being built, Connie knew it was on her radar to join in November 2015 because of its proximity to her home and its brand-new amenities. Since then, she has "recruited" dozens of friends to join, saying it has "made exercising and socializing all week long a lot more fun." She also enjoys being the social planner for her Ocean Breeze friends during several gatherings throughout the year.

Her favorite classes are Sit N Fit, Tri-Burn, Pound, and Coach Forti's new walking class. She has never met an instructor she didn't enjoy! Her philosophy is to never give up, keep moving, and enjoy life to the fullest. She is most inspired by her family and counts her many Irish blessings!

Congratulations, Connie!