Sis
ter Mary Ellen Murphy (Sr. Stephen Maria), 96, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham on August 1, 2020. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of John and Mary (McKaig) Murphy.
Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish, Holyoke in 1943. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Holyoke and earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.
Sister ministered in the Springfield Diocese as a teacher at Our Lady of Hope, Holy Family, and Cathedral High Schools in Springfield, and St. Charles and St. Mark Schools in Pittsfield. Sister later served as librarian at St. Joseph’s, Pittsfield, Sacred Heart, Holyoke, and Our Lady of Hope in Springfield. She served in the Worcester Diocese as librarian at St. Mary School in Milford. She was on the Central Services staff of the College of Our Lady of the Elms for several years before her retirement in 1995.
In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Mary Ellen leaves to cherish her memory several generations of loving nieces and nephews, and her dear sister-in-law Ruth Murphy and brother-in-law Eugene Murphy. Sister was preceded in death by her parents and her younger siblings: John, Edward, Stephen, James and Catherine.
A Burial Service for Sr. Mary Ellen will take place on Thursday, August 6, 2020 in Mont Marie Cemetery, Holyoke, MA. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.