MURPHY, Barbara Anne (Mullen) Formerly from Milton, died after a six-year battle with cancer at her home in Bellingham, Wash., on December 3, 2013 at the age of 61. Barbara graduated from Fontbonne Academy (1969), Regis College (1973) where she majored in art and earned her masters degree from Lesley College in Art Therapy in 1979. She lived in the Miami, Fla. area from 1981 to 1993, after which she moved to Bellingham with her husband, Tom, to raise their daughter, Caitlin. Her passion for the fine arts and their impact on the lives of others evolved into her becoming an acclaimed interior designer in Bellingham, Wash. where she founded, Murphy Interiors. She developed a unique casual, airy Cape Cod style that she introduced to the northwest, where it was embraced by her residential and commercial clients, alike. An avid runner, Barbara participated in many full and half-marathons including Boston and New York. Her commitment to running and a healthy lifestyle translated into a lifelong pursuit of achieving optimum personal fitness. She leaves her husband, Tom, a daughter, Caitlin & son-in-law, Justin Reed of Seattle, Wash., her mother, Mary B. (Geary) Mullen, of East Dennis, MA, her sisters, Marianne T. Kelly of Hingham, Jayne Mullen-Sampson of East Dennis, Johanne Connors of Plymouth, a brother, Barry of Lincroft, NJ and her late father, John Robert (Bob) Mullen (retired BFD) of Milton as well as many in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Profile: Genetic Analysis Research Program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.dana-farber.org/gift in memory of Barbara A. (Mullen) Murphy to support one of the largest and most comprehensive studies of patient-based cancer genetics in the world, a critical component of the drive towards personalized medicine. A prayer service and reception will be held for Barbara on December 21, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at 39 Oliver Drive in East Dennis (Cape Cod), a family home that is a showcase of Barbaras interior design talent, where she spent many months over the six-year period, rehabilitating from her cancer treatments and surgeries. A memorial mass will be held for Barbara and the 5th anniversary of her fathers death on April 4th at 11a.m. at Our Lady of the Cape Church in Brewster, Mass. For expressions of sympathy, please visit www.oconnorandson.com.

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Published by Boston Globe from Dec. 7 to Dec. 8, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for BARBARA MURPHY

Sponsored by Barbara's loving family and friends.

20 Entries

Johanne Connors

March 4, 2014

I am so happy to see that even though my sister barb is not here in our material world she inspires us in our everyday lives. Thank you to all of you who she touched so much!!! She is my idiol and inspiration!! May she live on for us forever!!

Lisa Stgrong-Wallis

March 3, 2014

Dear Barb...you were one of my most favorite members at BAC. You gave it your all in my spin and Gravity workouts. What an inspiration! Tom...my deepest condolences to you. I loved your concern for Barb in our Gravity workouts together...you trying to encourage her to ease up and she just going for it! Definitely a beautiful tangle of determination, drive and love between you two. Here is a BIG hug. Loves to you, Tom. And Barb...I'm looking forward to seeing you in Heaven. Lets get Jesus to workout with us! Love to you!

Ed Zech

January 12, 2014

Tom, when you can, call me.
Deb and I are devastated...
Ed Zech. 3603030139

A J Freeman

December 20, 2013

Tom and Family, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Meeting Barbara a few years ago was a great pleasure and I'm sure she will be missed greatly!

December 12, 2013

Dear Tom and Family,
I am so sorry to hear that Barb passed. I recall our jogging paths crossing one afternoon and her stunning me with the news that she had lung cancer. She was confident it wouldn't be a problem since it was caught early. I met Barb when she came to Bellingham and worked at the Greenhouse. She was the first person I recall to wear fushia, a bright color that looked great on only her. She was unique and very cool.
My sincere sympathy to you all.
Lois Longwood

Shar Van Winkle

December 11, 2013

Some times life is so unfair, and this is one of those times. Gone too soon. Tom and Caitlin, I'm so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you both and keeping you in my prayers. This photo of Barb is so pretty and perfect, just how I remember her.

Nancy Heuman

December 10, 2013

Tom and Caitlin,
Barbara was a very special person. She came into my life as a talented home designer. I loved her spirit and gifted sense for design. She spoke about her family often with great love. My condolences to you. I will miss her!

Myrna & Seth Bramson

December 10, 2013

Dear Tom and Caitlin: Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with you both. All we have are the happy memories of Barbara's warm smile and great sense of humor and we think of all of you often.
Love,
Myrna and Seth

Sharlene Martin

December 9, 2013

Tom and Caitlin:
I wish you peace and comfort in the loss of Barbara far too early. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Henny Verkyk

December 9, 2013

We met Barbara and Tom when they moved next door to us in Miami Lakes. Barbara and I could not stop talking over the fence. She talked me into joining the health club and I would only go every other day, while she would go every day, sometimes even twice. She was such an inspiration and I wanted to be like her. She was beautiful, athletic, smart, and creative. I still remember her "pink" kitchen. We got to know a lot of their family that came to visit. She became the sister I never had.

When we moved to Cooper City, we were so excited that they also moved there soon after. But then they moved again, and again. Every house they had was more and more beautiful. She had such an eye for design and color.

We were sad to hear that they were going back to Bellingham even though it was the place she loved. We were very happy to visit and stay in that beautiful home on the hill with a gorgeous view.

Even though quite some time had passed, we picked up right where we had left off. We enjoyed great food and some glasses of wine while we talked for hours, just like the old days.

I absolutely loved it when they came to visit us in Tampa. Gave me some great ideas for color on my walls! And yes Barb you were right, green is the right color.

Again some time went by when we received the invite for Caitlin's wedding. Our little girl from next-door was all grown up! The wedding was absolutely beautiful, with obvious help from Barb.

She was the sweetest, classiest, most loving, caring, and courageous person I have ever met, and I am lucky to call her my friend.
Barbara, we love you forever and will miss you for always

Christine Sorensen

December 8, 2013

Barbara and I were classmates. She was always a lovely person..I am so sorry, Christine Sorensen

Mary Latta

December 7, 2013

Thank you Barb for inviting me on your early morning runs with your wonderful girlfriends when I first moved to Bellingham. I will forever be grateful to you for all of your kind and wise words on being a parent. My sincerest condolences to Tom, Caitlin and the rest of your family.

Virginia Buckingham

December 7, 2013

I'm very sorry for your loss. She and Tom exemplified love and determination in this journey. You are all in my thoughts.

Ash Goddard

December 6, 2013

A light truly went out for us this week. Barb began as my patient and ended up my friend. She brought out the best in everyone and everything. We are all going to miss her so dearly. My heart goes out to Tom and Caitlin, and all her family and friends from everywhere she ever went.

John Duval

December 6, 2013

Words cannot express my sadness. Her incredibly strong bond with family & friends is a true testament to the wonderful person she was. I know she will always live on in the memories of so many who's lives she touched

Barbara Hadelman

December 6, 2013

Barbara was my godmother and cousin. A true role model and an inspired artist. She will be missed greatly

Julie Adams

December 5, 2013

I am one of few who only knew this beautiful woman a few short weeks. I can say.. I've been deeply touched forever by Barbs enormous spirit, her sense of delegating jobs to be done till her end, her warmth, courage and deep love of family and friends... I am ever so grateful and honored for her presence in my life ??

Johanne Connors

December 5, 2013

Barbara is my oldest sister. From a very early age she inspired me to forge my own path in life. Even though we lived thousands of miles away most of my life I could pick up the phone tell her about something I had done or a dress that I had bought and she would say I bought the same one. We had an undenialble bond. I also had so much fun with her. When i visited her or she was here at the cape we would go grab some beers and just talk for hours and hope that whatever place we were at a band would start playing so we could dance a little. I am going to miss her so much and my heart is so heavy it sometimes hurts to breath. I look around my house and all my pretty things are from her. She lived her life to it's fullest and never gave up on anyone or anything. You are in my heart forever. It was an honor to be your little sister

Jeri Winterburn

December 5, 2013

Tom & Caitlin - My very deepest thoughts and prayers are with you. I have so many amazing memories of Barb - she was the fittest, most beautiful woman I know. She stood beside me in the front row of every exercise class - her spot was never taken by another - it still remains, as do the many fond memories I have of her. Caitlin - she was so proud of you! and Tom - she was so completely in love with you. I learned so much from her - and she will be missed. I am truly & deeply sorry.

"It's up to you New York, New York!" Love you, Barb!

Tracey Cashman

December 5, 2013

Barb was one of the first friends I made when I moved to Bellingham from NY. Barb's husband Tom is the brother of a very close friend of mine from NY and so this is how we met. She introduced me to many wonderful people and took me under her wing when I first started working as an Interior Designer at Walkers Carpet One. She had magnificent style and taste and I learned so much from her. We had a lot of fun working on projects together and she brought many nice clients my way. She was a beautiful , talented, athletic and inspiring woman. It will always make me smile remembering how she and my best NY girlfriends stood up and sang "NY NY" at my wedding! Rest in Peace, dear Barb. You will be truly missed and your spirit will live on within our hearts. I am blessed for having known you.

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