Sister Mary Elizabeth Murphy, SUSC, of 7 Bradford St. Taunton, MA died on December 17, 2008 at the age of 81 after a short illness. She was born in Boston, MA in 1927, the daughter of the late Arthur and Elizabeth (Fair) Murphy, both of Taunton. In addition to her Holy Union Sisters, she is survived by her sisters, Sister Rosemarie Murphy, SUSC of Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River, Marita Murphy of East Taunton, her brothers Thomas of Taunton, and Arthur of East Taunton and nieces and nephews.
Sister Mary Elizabeth was a graduate of the former St. Mary High School, Taunton. She entered the Holy Union Sisters in Fall River, MA in December, 1946 and pronounced her vows on August 22, 1954. She studied at the Sacred Heart School of Education and received her BS in Education from Catholic Teacher’s College, Providence. Sister Mary Elizabeth received a certificate in Religious Education from the Providence College School of Theology and did further studies at Fordham University, New York and St. Michael College in Vermont. She studied Spanish at the Catholic University of Puerto Rico, and Library Science at Bristol Community College, Fall River.
Sister Mary Elizabeth taught for nearly fifty years, first in elementary schools in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. She served as principal of schools in Maryland, Massachusetts and New York. In 1970 she came to Bishop Cassidy High School, Taunton, initially as a teacher of religion and math. From 1997 to her retirement in 2007 she served as librarian at Coyle and Cassidy High School. She was honored at Coyle and Cassidy High School with the Aquinas Service Award, the Alumni Service Award and the Lifetime Service Award.
The wake will take place Saturday, December 20 at the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington St. Taunton from 10:30 to 12:30. The Vigil service will be at 12 noon. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Mary Church, Broadway, Taunton at 1 p.m. Burial will be Monday, December 22 at 10 a.m. in St. Francis Cemetery, Glebe St., Taunton.
Donations may be made in Sister Mary Elizabeth’s memory to:
The Holy Union Sisters Mission Advancement Office
PO BOX 410 MILTON MA 02186-0006