Frances Murphy

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother “Fran” on December 25, 2022.  She was the daughter of Theresa C. (Belton) and James A. Noonan, and the youngest of three girls.  Born in Worcester, MA, she graduated from Classical High School and went on to attend Worcester State Teachers College, where she earned both her undergraduate and Masters degrees in Education.  Fran worked many years as a preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade teacher.  She last worked at the Little Theatre School in Lynn, MA.  Teaching was her passion.  She absolutely adored working with the children and watching them grow.  On a typical day you could find her singing with the kids, teaching them basic math, and helping them with their latest arts and crafts project.  With her animated story-time voice and kind demeanor, her students loved “Miss Fran.”  
Fran was married in 1960 to William Thomas Murphy, a native of Worcester and graduate of Assumption College.  They had  4 children.  Over the years, they lived in Northborough and Middleton, and finally settled in Topsfield, MA at 76 Parsonage Lane.  It was in this close-knit family neighborhood that they developed many lasting friendships.  Family was always a priority to the Murphy family, and there were many memorable trips to visit relatives in Worcester and Buffalo, NY. 
Fran was very sociable and enjoyed accompanying her husband on business trips and conventions.  They were members of the Salem Country Club.  Religion and faith were part of the family fabric and they attended Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church on a regular basis.  Fran loved to sing and was a member of the choir.  She was also part of a very close circle of friends from Worcester.  They kept in touch regardless of time and distance, and there were numerous gatherings and class reunions over the years.
After her husband’s passing due to an illness in 1986, Fran eventually sold the house on Parsonage Lane, and moved to a condo at Ferncroft Towers in Danvers, MA.  She lived an independent and fulfilling life there for many years, and made friends both at Ferncroft and in the local community.  Later in life, Fran travelled to destinations such as Iceland and Switzerland.  She was also an avid golfer and talented accordion player.  Music, teaching, family, and religion were the foundations of her life.  
Fran is survived by her daughter Tara and husband Thomas Carr, her son Patrick and wife Jean-Marie, her son Billy, and her daughter-in-law Michelle.  She is predeceased by her husband of 26 years, William (1986), her sisters Phyllis and Marie, and her son Edward (2020).  She was blessed with six beautiful grandchildren; Conor, Erin, Will, Charlie, and Sean Murphy, and Samantha Carr.  She additionally had many nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved Fran very much.  We will miss her, but always hold her memory close to our hearts.
Visitation on Thursday Jan. 5th from 10am -11am at Mackey Funeral Home, 128 S Main St. Rt. 114 Middleton, MA. Funeral Mass to be celebrated at St. Agnes Parish, Boston St. Middleton at 11:30am followed by burial at Pine Grove Cemetery, Topsfield, MA. Kindly visit www.mackeyfuneralhome.com to share a condolence.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in Fran’s name to the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (“MADRC”). see the link at the bottom of the page.

If mailing :

Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center,” and send to:

Massachusetts General Hospital 
Development Office
Attn: Bridget Flynn, Director of Development
125 Nashua Street, Suite 5409
Boston, MA, 02114

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