Gladys J. (Richardson) Murphy

Watertown – Mrs. Gladys J. (Richardson) Murphy, of Watertown, died Friday, December 2, 2016 at Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge. She was 85. Gladys was born in Waltham on June 16, 1931, a daughter of the late Walter and Thelma (Horne) Richardson, and was a 1949 graduate of Waltham High School. She moved to Watertown following her marriage to Lucius P. Murphy who would later become a Watertown firefighter. The couple enjoyed thirty-eight years of marriage before Lucius' death in October, 1987. Gladys belonged to the Watertown Firefighters Wives and had been a longtime member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 14 in Watertown. She was a devoted mother, proud grandmother and a doting great-grandmother. Gladys was never one to miss a pageant, a play, a hockey game or the special occasions that brought her family together . . . she was just terrific fulfilling her role as matriarch of the Murphy clan. She leaves her children, Sandra Sanchez and her husband, Robert, of Stow, Scott Murphy and his wife, Deborah, of Marshfield, Pamela Fraser and her husband, Joseph, of Waltham, Mark Murphy and his wife, Katherine, of Waltham and Dennis Murphy of Watertown; her sister and brothers, Martha Holmes of Waltham, Walter "Buddy" Richardson and his wife, Janice, of Marlboro and Roger Richardson and his wife, Elfrieda, of Waltham; twelve grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Gladys was also a sister of the late Eva Wallace, William Richardson, Olive Richardson and Judith Bamforth. Family and friends will honor and remember Gladys' life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, December 5th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Patrick's Church, 212 Main Street, Watertown where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Burial will follow in Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Watertown.