MURPHY, Theresa Gaffny, 72 of Andover, wife of the late Robert J. Murphy, died at the home of her daughter Ellen Murphy Meehan September 24, 2006 after a 17-month battle with ovarian cancer. She is survived by her daughter Ellen Murphy Meehan and her husband US Congressman Martin T. Meehan of Lowell, grandsons Robert F. and Daniel M. Meehan, siblings Edward P. Gaffny of Hampton, NH, Catherine E. Sheppard of Norwell, Harriet G. Palmieri of Andover, John J. Gaffny of North Andover, and Margaret A. O’Connell of Methuen, and many nieces and nephews. Terry was the sister of the late Anne M. Morrissey of Andover and Helen G. Driscoll of North Andover.
She retired in 2000 as principal of the Shawsheen Elementary School and Title I Director, Andover. Prior to becoming a principal in Andover she served as Andover’s K-12 Language Arts Coordinator where she developed Andover’s Individualized Reading System (“AIRS”), a reading program which gained national recognition from the US Office of Education as one of the top twelve reading programs in the country, and was adopted by other school systems throughout the country. Over her 44 year career, she also worked as a national publishing consultant and contributing author for Row Peterson and Holt & Co, taught elementary grades in the Reading and Andover Public Schools and worked as Reading Specialist, in the Towns of Andover, Weston and North Andover.
Born and raised in Lawrence, Mrs. Murphy was a 1951 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Lawrence. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Boston University in 1955, and a Master of Education from Boston University in 1958.
She enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, especially her daughter, son-in-law and two grandsons. She loved to read and play golf, and was a member of the Far Corners League.
Friends and relatives were invited to attend the Funeral, Saturday, September 30, 2006, at 10 a.m. from the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex Street Andover at 11 a.m. Visiting hours were held on Friday, September 29, 2006, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Terry’s home at 28 Johnson Road, Andover. Burial was in Spring Grove Cemetery, Andover. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to the new Emergency Center at Lawrence General Hospital, 1 General St., Lawrence, MA 01841.