Patricia M. “ Trisha “ Rivera – Murphy PHD. of Stoughton, passed away after a lengthy illness on Tuesday February 17, 2009 at The Stanley J. Tippett House in Needham. She was 40 years old. She was the beloved wife of Peter T. Murphy of Stoughton and the cherished daughter of Patricia ( Kennedy ) Rivera of Meriden, Connecticut and the late John Rivera. She was also the loving sister of James Rivera also of Meriden, Connecticut. She is also survived by her in laws, Mr. Cornelius J. and Mrs. Jeanne A. Murphy of Needham and her sister in – law Kristin E. Duff also of Needham.
Patricia was born March 19, 1968 in Bronx, New York. She attended and was a 1986 graduate of Maloney High School in Meriden, Connecticut. She also attended and graduated in 1990 with a B.A. degree in Psychology from The University Of Massachusetts / Amherst. After completion of her undergraduate studies Mrs. Rivera – Murphy enrolled in a Master’s degree program at Springfield college and graduated in 1993 with a M.A. degree in Psychology and later was able to attain her PHD from The University Of Missouri at Kansas City in 1997.
Mrs. Rivera - Murphy was employed for over five years as the Assistant Director of Clinical Services at the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center in Canton, MA.
She attended and was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Stoughton.
Trisha enjoyed sports of all types and was able to participate in collegiate gymnastics. She loved softball also and was a proud member of the Brighton Marine Softball Team. She was also an avid YANKEE FAN. She also enjoyed vacationing and walking on the beaches of Maine.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday February 21, 2009 at 9:00 A.M. from the Sheehan Funeral Home, 115 Monk Street, Stoughton. Followed by a mass of Christian burial for the repose of her soul at 10:30 A.M. in the Immaculate Conception Church, 122 Canton Street, Rt. 27 Stoughton. The Pastor Rev. Joseph P. McDermott officiating. Cremation to follow. Visiting hours will be held on Friday February 20, 2009 from 4 – 8 P.M. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, ATTN: Gift Management Services, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244 in Tricia’s memory, would be appreciated.