Mary C Murphy Obituary (1925 - 2016)

Mary Cecelia (Murphy) Murphy, age 90 of Chelmsford, passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2016, just 24 days short of her 91st birthday. She was born to the late James and Margaret Dalton Murphy of Wakefield MA on December 28, 1925. After graduating from Wakefield High School in 1943, Mary entered the workforce as a coordinator for the Red Cross on Milk Street in Boston. It was during this time she met the love of her life, John D. Murphy of Newburyport, a soldier in the U.S. Army. They were married on September 27, 1947, at St. Josephs Church in Wakefield MA, and were together more than 56 years before his passing in 2003.. Following their marriage at the Colonial Country Club in Lynnfield, Mr. & Mrs. Murphy moved to the Exeter NH area and started a family with the birth of daughter Maureen and later John D. Murphy, Jr. Later, her husband was transferred back to MA where they took up residence in Chelmsford, the town they called home for 40 years. Mary worked diligently during these years as both a devoted mother and executive secretary, first for Lowell Technological Institute's Research Foundation and later at Nashoba Valley Regional Technical High School in Westford where she commandeered daily operations for many years as the assistant to the school superintendent. A life-long member of St. Mary's Church in Chelmsford, Mary was active in local community events serving on various committees in support of Little League baseball, Girl Scouts and summer vacation camps for kids. Following retirement in 1989, Mary and husband John moved to the Daytona Beach/Port Orange area of Florida where they established residences for many years. Mary loved to travel and incorporated many trips and cruises into her busy work schedule including visits to Ireland, England, Bermuda, Hawaii & California. During her Florida days, she enjoyed entertaining her children and grandchildren at the beach and pool. She enjoyed fashion and jewelry to the extent that she often mused about not having enough closet and cabinet space in her home to house it all. Each trip translated to new articles of clothing, new jewelry and fun gifts for the family. Mary is survived by her brother James Murphy of Wakefield, daughter Maureen Whitehead and her husband Roger of Chelmsford, son John D. Murphy, Jr., and his wife Pamela of Peachtree City, Georgia, six grandchildren, Kevin Cody, Ryan Cody and his wife Lynn, Justin Cody, Gregory Whitehead and his significant other Samantha Provencher, all of MA, and Brian Murphy and Lindsay Murphy of GA, and four great grandchildren, Amelia, Loki, Lyra, and Caelainn. It being her wish, there will be no visiting hours. Her Funeral Service will be held at Blake Funeral Home, 24 Worthen Street, Chelmsford on Thursday at 10:30 AM. Interment will be in Georgia at a later date. For those who desire donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 in memory of her husband. Service Information December 8, 2016 10:30am, Blake Funeral Home 24 Worthen Street Chelmsford, MA 01824 Interment Location Westminster Memorial Gardens 2090 Highway 54 Peachtree City, GA 30269