Obituary of Mary Bernice (Boyd) Murphy

Mary Bernice (Boyd) Murphy, 88 of Peabody and formerly of Salem, died peacefully early Friday morning at her home following a two year illness. She was the wife of the late Joseph E. Murphy Jr . She was born in Salem on October 24, 1920, the daughter of the late Hugh C. and Mary Josephine (Browne) Boyd. She had resided in her earlier years in Beverly before moving to Gardner Park in Peabody. Mary was a graduate of St. John’s Girls High School in Peabody and the Pierce Secretarial School in Boston. She was first employed at the former Parker Brothers Inc. in Salem until her marriage. Mary then stayed home to raise her children which she considered her most important and most rewarding occupation. Later she was a buyer at the former Atwood & Morrill Company in Salem for over 20 years prior to her retirement. Mary Bernice had been a member of the ladies auxiliary of the Amvets Chapter of Salem and also had been a girl scout leader in Salem. She had been active in the Senior Centers on the North Shore taking part in line dancing and other activities. Mary Bernice also enjoyed making ceramics. She loved to travel, particularly to Florida, Europe and the Caribbean. She is survived by her son Dennis C, Murphy and his companion Christine Starkey of Ogunquit, Maine, a daughter, Mary E. Murphy of Peabody, a daughter-in-law, Judith A. Murphy of Lynnfield, her three grandchildren, Christopher and his wife Karen Murphy and Michael Murphy and his companion Kaitlin Lee all of Woburn and Erin Murphy of Lynnfield, a great granddaughter, Colleen Murphy of Woburn and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Thomas A., Hugh C. , Robert and Ronald Boyd and the Aunt of the late Ronald Boyd. A Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00 until 5:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 20 Church St., Peabody facility. Her Funeral will be held on Monday at 10:00 AM at the Funeral Home followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church St., Peabody at 11:00 AM. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Diabetes Association. 330 Congress ST., 5th Floor, Boston, Mass 02110, Tel. 1-888-342-2383 in her memory.