It wasn’t quite the Olympic podium, but being congratulated by neighbors and friends at the intersection of 92nd and Ridgeway Avenue in Evergreen Park was still a special celebration for Abbey Murphy.
Murphy, a graduate of Mother McAuley High School, won a silver medal in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing earlier this month as a member of the USA women’s hockey team.
Standing on a small stage beneath a fluttering U.S. flag hung from the snorkel of an Evergreen Park fire truck Thursday, Murphy, 19, thanked the people for their love and support.
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“I couldn’t do it without you guys. It has meant a lot. So thank you, especially being here on this cold day. It’s freezing,” Murphy said, as the crowd cheered.
Evergreen Park Mayor Kelly Burke unveiled a commemorative street sign, reading “Abbey Road,” on the corner of the 9200 block of Ridgeway, where Murphy’s family lives.
Julie and Bob Rehfeld, who live a half-mile away, had never met Murphy before, but they came out to congratulate her. They watched the hockey games at Barraco’s restaurant on 95th Street with Murphy’s family and friends.
“We followed her,” Julie Rehfeld said. “But I was unhappy with the coverage. Except for the last game (when Canada beat Team USA 3-2 for the gold medal), all the games were on cable and we don’t have cable.”
Still, the announcers frequently mentioned Murphy’s hometown.
“She put Evergreen Park on the map,” Rehfeld said. “Evergreen Park is a great place to live.”
Homeowners wrapped red, white and blue bunting around the trunks of the trees on the block and hung US. Olympic flags in their front windows, neighbor Casey Duh said.
Sheila Ryan said her family would have watched the Olympics even if their neighbor were not vying for a medal. But knowing Murphy made it extra exciting, Ryan said.
“It was really cool that someone on our block is in the Olympics,” said Ryan’s 8-year-old daughter Johanna, who came out with her mother and 5-year-old brother Patrick to congratulate Murphy.
Murphy, who was wearing her silver medal, happily posed for pictures and signed autographs for her fans.
Her mother, Lynne Murphy, also thanked neighbors and friends for their emails, texts and signs of support.
It was awesome, she said, “to have each and every one of you share this once in a lifetime journey with us.”
Burke said Murphy exemplifies Evergreen Park, and said she hopes they can celebrate another Olympic medal with Murphy in four years.
“She’s a really grounded kid, who is a hard worker, has grit, is a little bit tough and likes to have fun,” Burke said.
Kimberly Fornek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.