September 18, 2026

OBITUARY: Sister Eileen Murphy, SSJ

REGIONAL
Staff report

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Sister Eileen Murphy (Henry Mary), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Bethany Health Care Center, Framingham, Mass., on Sept.13. She was born in Newport, R.I., Dec. 28, 1940, the daughter of Henry and Mary Anne (Lyne) Murphy.

Sister Eileen entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Augustin Parish, Newport in 1958. She graduated from St. Catherine Academy, Newport. She earned an bachelor of arts from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, a master’s in education from Purdue University, and a master of science in administration from the University of Notre Dame.

Sister Eileen taught at the former Cathedral High School in Springfield for 10 years and the former Holyoke Catholic High School in Holyoke for 13 years, before becoming a mathematical science teacher at the College of Our Lady of the Elms for 23 years. After her retirement, she continued her relationship with the Elms as a volunteer and tutored for the Hampden County Department of Corrections at its various sites.

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister Eileen leaves her sisters, Sister of St. Joseph Sheila Murphy and Alice; her brothers Henry, Patrick, Edward, William and Joseph. She was predeceased by her brother, John.

All services for Sister Eileen will take place in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke, Sept. 21. The wake will be at 10 a.m. followed by a prayer service at 10:30. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery, Holyoke.

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