NEE, Patricia Eileen Mary Murphy, Age 85, of Holbrook
The loving mother of Patty Ann of Holbrook, Elizabeth (Bette) of West Warwick, RI, Michael and his wife Kathy of Hanson died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home.
Patsy was born in South Boston on November 24, 1925 to Ellen (Nellie) J. O’Connell, who had emigrated from Newfoundland, and to Patrick J. Murphy, who had emigrated from Ireland.
Patsy was raised and educated in South Boston. After moving briefly to San Diego and then to Holbrook in 1954, she often returned to Southie – especially for walks on Castle Island, visits with family and for viewing the St. Patrick’s Day parades. She was well-known for her rousing rendition of “Southie Is My Home Town”.
Pat took an active role in the interests of her children, including the welcoming of the neighborhood children to coast the Nee Hills. She and her children enjoyed many years of summer vacations with her dear sister-in-law Dolly in Harwich.
Pat was a Founding Member of the Brockton Mothers of Twins Club and active in the State and National Clubs. She also was an active member of the Josepheen’s. She was blessed with the “Irish Gift of Gab”, was a natural public speaker and didn’t hesitate to share her wit. Pat loved to write, and she enjoyed editing the Josepheen’s cookbook and writing skits for and performing in the Josie’s annual musical variety shows.
Inspired by President Kennedy, Pat was active in politics. In 1964, when she ran for Selectman, the local newspaper’s February 13th headline read “Lady to Oppose 5 Men for Selectman Post”. She served Holbrook in various roles, including Chairman of the Town Government Study Committee, Member of the Democratic Town Committee, Member of the Finance Committee and Town Meeting Member.
After raising her three children, Pat entered the workforce. She was a pioneer in the management of processing data, first in the private sector and later in the public sector. She retired from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Office of Management Information Systems in 1992, and enjoyed 19 years of retirement.
Pat loved to travel. She crossed the United States by automobile twice. She was very proud to reach her goal of travelling to all 50 states when she visited Alaska in 1994 with her friend Lynda.
Pat also enjoyed her frequent gambling jaunts, including those with her daughter to Las Vegas and those to Foxwoods with her dear friends Helen and Bernadette.
Pat was a great lover of animals, in particular her two German shepherds, both named Pepper, and her cats Foxy, Baby and Cof-Boy.
On December 27, 2004, Pat was trapped in a horrific house fire. A young Holbrook firefighter named James Brown rescued her to safety. That firefighter later was honored for his heroics by Governor Romney at a Firefighter of the Year ceremony. Thanks to the efforts of the Holbrook Fire Department and the care of Mass General’s Burn Unit, she survived.
Thanks to the kindness and the loving care of wonderful staff, Pat enjoyed the best quality of life remaining at Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home. She had a life-long love of dance and music, from her early years as a drum majorette, and she particularly enjoyed the musical activities at Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home, where she knew all the words to all the songs.
She is survived by her grandchildren Melissa, Sarah, Ashley and Michael; by her great-granddaughter Samantha; and by several nieces and nephews.
Patricia was pre-deceased by her beloved brother D. Joseph Burke and his wife Dorothy of Belmont and by her sister Helen Morrissey and her husband John of South Boston. She also was pre-deceased by her dear friend Helen M. Huxley of Holbrook.
Services were private and she has gone home to her Baby Girl.
