Laura Mariam Murphy
9/20/2021
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Laura Mariam Murphy
1938 – 2021
Laura Mariam Murphy, 83, of Moncton, passed away on September 20, 2021 at The Moncton Hospital. Born August 11, 1938 in Moncton, she was the daughter of the late Percy French and Marion (London) French.
Laura and her husband, Greg Murphy, who survives her, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year. They achieved this with patience, compassion, for giveness, love, and strength of character, which was passed onto all their children.
She is also survived by her five daughters: Kimberley (André Veniot) of Shediac; Laura (Les Harrison) and Susan (Ron Maillet) of Moncton; Karen (John Ryan) of Pointe du Chene; Sonya of Wellington, NS, and son Peter (Jill Higgs) of Upper Kingsclear.
She was also the proud and loving “Nana” to her 11 grandchildren (Bryan, Emily and Shannon Copeland; Joshua and Jeremy Maillet; Alanna, Alexandre and Mau rice Veniot; Milo and Breanna Hicks; Kalan Parrish) two step-grandchildren (Ceire and Eibhlin Storey) and five great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her sister, Blanche Begin and her husband Fred Begin of Or leans, ON and her brother, Lloyd French and wife Alice (Pikey) French of Moncton. She was predeceased by her sister Edith and brothers Douglas, Percy and Garnet. Laura is also survived by Carolyn Mitton, her best friend since they were six years old.
After graduating from Moncton High School in 1956, she worked as a secretary for the Canadian National Institute of the Blind, then as a private secretary at the T. Eaton’s Company. After volunteering in the library at Queen Elizabeth school, she was hired as a full time library assistant at Moncton High School from which she retired with 25 years service.
Volunteering and community service was in her DNA. She managed Greg’s senior ladies basketball team and made their uniforms; was on the board of St Pat’s Fam ily Center and involved with Birthright and the Catholic Women’s League. She also volunteered for more than 20 years at The Moncton Hospital.
Love for her family was at the heart of who Laura was, starting with her own chil dren, expanding later to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Somehow she made all of them feel as if each one was her favourite, “but don’t tell the others.”
As mother to her six young children, family time was marked by among other things, weekend camping at Parlee Beach; trips to Expo 67, the 1976 Olympics, and Florida, with the summer highlights being the many pre-school trips to Ban gor, ME. That led to another tradition as the daughters grew into adulthood, “the girls and Mom” yearly shopping trips to Maine. She especially loved one trip when she was told she looked like one of the sisters and not the mother!
As her children grew and had their own families, Laura and Greg’s biggest joy was hosting them at their cottage at the Bluff where they spent 43 summers, especial ly during the annual lobster feed, which coincided with her birthday.
Christmas was special for Laura and her grandchildren. She would invite them to come make cookies with her, and for some that continued into their 20s.
Laura passed her work ethic onto her children whom she always encouraged to do their best. She was incredibly generous and would often whip up a chocolate cake with boiled icing for people in their time of need.
Carolyn Mitton says the two lifelong friends began a tradition of playing Scrabble most every Tuesdays starting in the 1970s and played at least a 100 games a year.
In the last several years, Laura battled several health challenges, from breast can cer to diabetes and heart disease. In spite of those setbacks, she maintained her optimism.
Breanna Hicks, one of her granddaughters, could have been speaking for all the grandchildren, when she wrote Laura this last time in hospital: “I hope one day
when I start my family I can show them as much love and selflessness that you have shown this entire family.”
The Murphy family would like to thank the staff in the CCU and 4600 Unit for the wonderful care Laura received.
Visitation will be held at the Passage Funeral Chapel, 625, Mountain Road, Moncton, on Tuesday, September 28th, 2021, from 2pm to 4pm and from 7pm to 9pm. Funeral services will be held at St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, September 29th, 2021 at 11am.
Due to COVID-19, the following restrictions are in place: (1) Masks are mandatory at both the Funeral Chapel and the Church. (2) Photo ID and a record of full immunization must be shown at both places. (3) There will be no reception.
Donations in Laura’s memory can be made to the Friends of the Moncton Hospital Foundation or to a charity of your choice.
The family invites you to sign an online book of condolences at: www.funerairepassagefuneral.ca.
Funeral arrangements under the professional care of
Passage Funeral Co-operative and Cremation Centre
3754, Route 134, Shediac Bridge, NB, E4R 1T3
Tel: (506) 532-1050
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2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Laura Mariam Murphy
1938 –..
PASSAGE Funeral Co-op Ltée./Ltd.
Décès pour la Ville: Moncton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick