Madeline "Judy" Murphy
Tuesday
28
January

Visiting Hours

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home
43 Winn Street
Burlington, Massachusetts, United States
781-272-0050
Visiting Hours
Wednesday
29
January

Funeral Mass

10:00 am - 11:00 am
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
St. Margaret's Church
111 Winn St.
Burlington, Massachusetts, United States
781-272-3111
Funeral Mass
Wednesday
29
January

Burial

11:15 am
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Chestnut Hill Cemetery
52 Bedford St.
Burlington, Massachusetts, United States
Burial

Obituary of Madeline "Judy" Murphy

Madeline “Judy” Murphy, of Burlington, MA, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 after an extended illness. Judy was a woman who touched the hearts of everyone who knew her with her boundless love, warmth, and unwavering strength.

Judy was one of eleven children born to James and Anna Mawn.  Judy grew up in Winchester and attended St. Mary’s School before graduating from Winchester High School. She married the love of her life, John (Jack) Francis Murphy, and together they created a beautiful life full of love, laughter, and service to their family and community. Their adventures, including family vacations with the Murphy cousins to Hampton Beach and the lakes of New Hampshire and Maine, created memories that would last a lifetime.

Judy’s life was forever changed when her beloved husband, Jack, passed away at the age of 47 after a brief battle with cancer, leaving her to care for their four children: a two-year-old, a teenager, and two young adults. With incredible courage and strong faith, Judy became the pillar of strength for her family, working tirelessly to provide and care for them. She went on to have a fulfilling career at Middlesex Community College as the Administrator for the Dean of the Business department, where she worked with dedication and passion until the age of 80. Judy’s colleagues knew her as someone who could get things done with grace and efficiency, and she was highly respected for her leadership and commitment to excellence.

Judy’s ability to connect with others was extraordinary. She loved people, thoroughly enjoyed hearing their stories, and made everyone feel seen and valued. She was deeply involved in her church community at Saint Malachy’s, where she taught religious education, was a CCD Director, helped organize the church bazaars, and was a valued member of the Morgairs.  Judy served as a board member and treasurer at Grandview Commons and as a committee member for her High School Reunion, bringing warmth and leadership to everything she did.  In her later years, after experiencing a stroke, Judy became a resident of Sunrise Burlington, an assisted living community. True to her nature, she quickly formed meaningful friendships with her fellow residents and developed deep bonds with the supportive staff. The care and kindness of the staff extended far beyond their duties, as they visited her during hospital stays and provided comfort and companionship in her final years. Judy’s warmth and ability to connect with others left a lasting impact on everyone she met.

Judy had a zest for life that extended beyond her many community involvements. She cherished her friendships, and her calendar was full of lunch dates, dinners,  weekly card nights, monthly “club” nights, outings, and Sundays spent with the “Golden Girls.” She loved to travel, with New Orleans, Nashville, Alaska, and multiple trips to Ireland being just a few of her cherished destinations. She was always ready for an adventure, especially if it meant spending time with family and friends. Judy was always there to cheer on her granddaughters, whether at local cheerleading competitions, national events in Disney World, dance recitals, performances in New York, or countless soccer games. Each time, she supported them with the same love and pride she had for everyone in her life.

Family was everything to Judy. She made it a point to stay connected with her siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, always going the extra mile to show that she cared. Her love was unconditional, and her family was her greatest joy. Judy embraced the new world of technology to stay in touch, whether it was texting, Facebook, or Instagram, because she always wanted to know what was happening in the lives of those she loved.

As a Boston sports fan, Judy could be heard cheering passionately for her teams, especially for her favorite player, Tom Brady. But more than her enthusiasm for sports, Judy was the rock of her family. She was always there to offer a listening ear, lend a helping hand, or provide motherly or grandmotherly advice when needed. Her children and grandchildren saw her as a source of strength, and her legacy of love, wisdom, and compassion will forever guide them.

Judy’s family rallied around her with the same unwavering support and care that she had shown them throughout her life, especially after her stroke. She lived with grace, strength, and an endless supply of love that will continue to inspire everyone who knows her. Judy will be remembered as a woman of boundless love, wisdom, kindness, and warmth. She was a blessing to all who had the privilege of knowing her, and her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

Rest in peace, Judy, and know that your love will never be forgotten.

Judy was the beloved wife of the late John (Jack) Francis Murphy.  She was the loving mother and mother-in-law of John Murphy & his wife Kerry of Marstons Mills, Jill Hickox & her husband Kevin of Burlington, James Murphy & his husband Dan Meiggs of Mashpee, and Josh Murphy & his wife Melissa of Burlington.  She was the proud grandmother of Katie Murphy, Shannon Murphy, Erin Murphy, Courtney Burns & her husband Rob, Caileigh Hickox, Annabelle Murphy, and Grace Murphy. She was the great-grandmother of Clara, Scarlett, Evelyn, and Robert John “RJ” Burns.  Judy was the caring sister of Patricia Brazee of Chelmsford & her late husband Lou, Marilyn Jeffrey of Acton & her late husband Peter, John Mawn of Hollis, NH & his late wife Linda, Kevin Mawn & his wife Patricia of Wilmington, Peter Mawn & his wife Michele of North Reading, the late James Mawn, Jr. & his surviving wife Joyce of NY, the late Richard Mawn & his late wife Cathy, the late Thomas Mawn & his surviving wife Maureen McGurl of Woburn, the late Mary Louise Mawn, and the late Joseph Mawn.  She was the sister-in-law of Robert Murphy & his wife Nancy, the late Paul Murphy & his surviving wife Barbara, David Murphy & his partner Paulette Robinson, and the late Nancy Truesdale & her surviving husband David Truesdale. Judy was also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington, on Tuesday, January 28, from 4 to 7 p.m.  Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 29 at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret’s Church in St. Veronica’s Parish, 111 Winn Street, Burlington at 10 a.m.  Services will conclude with a burial at Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Burlington.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Judy’s name may be made to St. Veronica’s Parish.

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Madeline "Judy"