August 2, 2020

OBITUARY: Sister Mary Ellen Murphy, SSJ

REGIONAL

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.  — Sister of St. Jospeh Mary Ellen Murphy (formerly Sister Stephen Maria), 96, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, Mass., on Aug. 1. A native of Holyoke, she was the daughter of John and Mary (McKaig) Murphy.

She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish, Holyoke, in 1943. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Holyoke, and earned a bachelor of arts degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.

She taught at Our Lady of Hope, Holy Family, and Cathedral High schools in Springfield, and St. Charles and St. Mark schools in Pittsfield. She later served as a librarian at St. Joseph School, Pittsfield, Sacred Heart School, Holyoke, and Our Lady of Hope School in Springfield. She served in the Worcester Diocese as a librarian at St. Mary School in Milford, Mass. She was on the central services staff of the College of Our Lady of the Elms for several years before her retirement in 1995.

She was predeceased by her parents and her younger siblings John, Edward, Stephen, James, and Catherine. In addition to her sisters in community, she leaves several generations of nieces and nephews, and her brother-in-law, Eugene Murphy.

A burial service will be held on Thursday, Aug. 6, in Mont Marie Cemetery, Holyoke. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.