Charlene G. Murphy

Charlene G. (Poliwczak) Murphy allowed herself to be freed from her ailing body, found peace and joined the love of her life, Jim Murphy, in spirit on Saturday, December 3, 2016 after a brief stay at Baystate Medical Center. Charlene was born November 14, 1941 to Charles Poliwczak and Gertrude Walence. She attended St. Anne Academy, was a graduate of Cathedral High School Class of ’59 and Elms College Class of ‘66.

Charlene was an educator with the Chicopee Public Schools at Taylor, Bellamy and Chicopee High School. She loved languages and taught English, ESL, French, Spanish and German. Her commitment to teaching extended well beyond the classroom. She treasured her time as a Sho No No performing 50’s music with her fellow teachers at Bellamy School and fondly remembered serving as Class Advisor to Chicopee High School’s Class 0f 1995. She was recognized as the MA Bilingual Educator of 1986 and received the MAFLA appreciation award in 1996. Murph’s artistic ability provided her students, friends and family with personalized hand made posters for special events, custom silk-screened Arlo for President t-shirts and her annual end of school year hand silk-screened animated posters that her students all looked forward to. The walls of Dr. Ferris’ office will always be affectionately remembered by any child who visited the pediatrician’s suite through the years thanks to the artistic brush of Mrs. Murphy. In 1981, she was a Parent Advisor for the Children for a State Song, a family activity that turned “Massachusetts” by Arlo Guthrie into our state folk song. As the Program Director of Just Friends and Folk Show on WTCC from 1984–1997 and charter member of the Chicopee Folk Music Society that held concerts at the Stained Glass Coffeehouse, she helped keep folk music alive in Western Massachusetts. Charlene coordinated fund raising concerts with performers Arlo Guthrie, Tom Paxton and Schooner Fare to support Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and the Chicopee Senior Center in addition to organizing an international and a modern folk music festival. Charlene was an editorial contributor and feature writer for the Transcript Telegram from 1983 to 1993. In retirement, she served as a member and pass grant coordinator for the Chicopee Cultural Council for over 15 years and most recently enjoyed being a member of the Chicopee Falls Woman’s Club.

Charlene ‘s greatest achievement, show of dedication and expression of true love was her commitment in caring for her gentle and incapacitated husband at home from May 2007 to October 2016.

Charlene’s life and character will be honored by her daughter and son-in-law, Mariclaire and George Smith, two grandchildren, Warren and Dalton Smith – all of Chicopee, her brother and sister-in-law, John and Carol Poliwczak – from Agawam, her cousin, Stephen Walence and his wife Tracy – from Hampden, her extended family, Christopher, Justin and Chélan Smith, Sharon Mekal and Heather Quinn in addition to a far-reaching unending circle of treasured friends whom she loved dearly.

Although she was predeceased by Jim, her husband of 50 years only 7 weeks ago, her younger brother, Chipper (Charles Jr.), her father, Charles, her mother, Gertrude and her Babcia, Katazyna, Charlene’s strong faith assures they are together again and celebrating the reunion of family and friends - cough free!

Charlene’s family would like to express a sincere and heartfelt thanks to Corky and Ken Squier and Fr. Mark Stelzer whose help and support has been invaluable during this difficult time.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 8:45 am at the Corridan Funeral Home, 333 Springfield Street, Chicopee followed by a mass at 10:00 am in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA. Burial will follow the service in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fuller Road, Chicopee, MA. Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 9, 2016 at the funeral home from 4 to 7 pm. The family requests NO FLOWERS and suggests CASUAL ATTIRE at all services.

One of Charlene’s favorite things was her Christmas tree. Every ornament held a special memory and she could recite the story behind each one with ease. Remembrance ornaments with a favorite story of Charlene are encouraged for Warren and Dalton Smith, her grandsons. Your stories will be cherished and the ornaments will serve as a long-lasting reminder of her traditions and love as they embark on life.

Memorial contributions may be dedicated in Charlene’s name to the Elms Chapel, 291 Springfield St. Chicopee, MA, 01013.