Phyllis B. Murray

SCITUATE Phyllis B. Murray, age 71, a longtime Scituate resident and recently living in Weymouth, passed away peacefully, Monday, October 6, 2008 in the company of her family after a long illness. Phyllis was a graduate of Trinity College and taught for several years at the Sacred Heart School in Weymouth Landing. She was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Church in Scituate as a longtime CCD teacher, as well as active in many parish Groups. She enriched her spiritual life as an Oblate of St. Benedict and in her earlier years, as an active participant in the community of the Glastonbury Abbey. Phyllis was a loving and caring mother of five children, who always found time to support community activities. She was a volunteer English Teacher in the Chinese community in Boston, a longtime Girl Scout Leader, active in the Heart Association, a strong supporter of the March of Dimes and just about any good cause that asked for help. She was a giving and caring member of Al-Anon. In 1992, Phyllis met several Native Americans at Blessed Katari Tekakwitha Conference in Maine. She was invited to vacation with them in Eagle Butte, SD. This visit developed into a long friendship with several families and a deepening love for the children of Eagle Butte, particularly the children of St. Josephs Indian School. Her involvement was further enriched by a Habitat for Humanity project, where 1400 volunteers over a ten-day period built 30 homes at the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. While not handy with a hammer, Phyllis was a great cook and part of the kitchen crew, responsible for feeding 1400 volunteers three hearty meals a day. She lived in a tent, slept on the ground and had a marvelous and enriching experience. The highlight of each day was a visit Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, who made a point of thanking each member of the kitchen crew for their daily bread. Phyllis worshipped her God and Savior Jesus Christ, loved and cared for her family, and was enriched by her many friends. She is survived by her husband, Tom M., whom she married in December 1958, and her daughters, Judy Murray of Norwell, Mary Mobley of Grosse Point, MI., and her three sons, Michael Murray of Hanson, James Murray of Golden, CO., and John Murray of Scituate. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Allison of Grosse Point, and Siobhan and John of Scituate. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 10th at 11 a.m. in St. Anthonys Church, Cohasset. Interment private. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. at McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 1 Summer St. (across from St. Anthonys Church), Cohasset. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Phyllis memory to the Glastonbury Abbey, 16 Hull St., Hingham, MA. 02043. For an online guestbook, please visit www.mcnamara-sparrell.com McNamara-Sparrell Brighton-Cohasset-Norwell 781-383-0200 Since 1820