Elinor “Elley” Murphy Ryan died at her longtime residence in South Boston on January 17, 2026, days before what would have been her 95th birthday.
A lifelong resident of Boston, Elley was born in Jamaica Plain on January 26, 1931, to James Murphy and Bernadette O’Brien.
Elley raised three sons in Roxbury and Dorchester, and for decades worked as a waitress in various establishments in Boston, including for many years at Donovan’s in Dorchester Lower Mills.
She is survived by sons Jim Ryan (Jessika) and Michael Ryan (Leslie), grandchildren Leigh Ryan (Jamie) and Eliza Sine (Rob), and great-grandchildren Rory and Paige Sine. She was preceded in death by her eldest son, Richard Murphy, daughter-in-law Kathleen Murphy, cousin and close friend Marie Galvin, and her elder sister, Dorothy Gravina.
The family would like to thank caregivers Vanessa, Lidia, Angela, and Phara and building staff Judy, Tracy, and Jose for their kind support during Elley’s final weeks and months.
Visitation and memorial service will be held at Casper Funeral Services, 187 Dorchester Street, South Boston, on Sunday, February 1, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. A private burial will take place at a later date in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Elley’s memory may be made to Upham’s PACE Elder Service Plan, https://uphamselderserviceplan.org/donate/.