East Bridgewater - Elizabeth M. (Brown) Murphy 76, a lifelong resident of East Bridgewater, died Monday April 29 after a brave battle with cancer. She was the beloved wife of 56 years to E. Russell Murphy.
Born in Everett and raised in East Bridgewater she was the daughter of the late Frederick W. and Alice L. (Strong) Brown, and a graduate of East Bridgewater High, Class of 1954.
She furthered her education attaining her Bachelor’s Degree from Bridgewater State College, Class of 1958, and before her retirement had taught school for over 35 years at the Central School in East Bridgewater.
Elizabeth was a longtime and active member of the Central Square Congregational Church of Bridgewater, where she sang in the church choir and had served on various committees.
She loved music and was an avid fan of the Boston sports teams, but her greatest joy came from the time spent with her family and following the many sporting events and activities of her grandsons.
In addition to her husband Russell she is survived by her loving daughters Elizabeth Souza and her husband Paul of Wareham and the Reverend Kimberly Murphy of Westfield; her brother Gerald Brown and his wife Sue of East Bridgewater; her sister Thelma Hamel and her husband James of Bridgewater; her sisters-in-law Sandra Brown of East Bridgewater and Cordelia Eonas and her husband Anthony of Brockton. She is also survived by her grandsons, whom she adored, Christopher Souza and his fiancée Samantha Plugge, Jeffrey Souza and Eric Souza as well as many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Frederick W. Brown and sister-in-law of the late Charles and Ulla Murphy.
Her funeral service will be held Monday May 6 at 11 AM in the Central Square Congregational Church, 71 Central Square, Bridgewater, MA 02324. Burial will follow at 1:45 PM in the MA National Cemetery, Bourne. Visiting hours will be held Sunday May 5 from 2-5 PM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth St. (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman.
Donations in her name may be made to the Music Fund C/O the Central Square Church at the address above or the American Cancer Society, 5 Manley Street, West Bridgewater, MA 02379, or to the American Diabetes Association, Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.