Jean Murphy

MURPHY Jean Murphy (Cancellieri), wife, mother, baker, and golf fanatic died on Wednesday, December 19, 2007. She was married to her dear Bernard ("Murph") for 42 years. Devoted to and proud of her children, she created magical holidays for them. Her joy and talent for crafts, flower arranging and decorating left us with lasting memories and traditions. She was also known for her extravagant baking and lifelong quest for the perfect cookie. Jean, and her two sisters, Rita and Pearl, were all avid golfers and the best of friends. She reveled in reading mystery books, biographies of Queen Elizabeth I, and attacked the daily New York Times crossword puzzle each day with single-minded determination. For 24 years, Jean lived on the 16th hole of Lake Mohawk Golf Club in Sparta, N.J. As a long standing member of its woman's golf league, Jean spent countless happy hours perfecting her pitching and putting. Previously, she lived for many years in Piscataway, N.J. where she belonged to both the Rutgers and Tamarac ladies golf leagues. In Sparta, Jean was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church. Previously, she was a member of St. Francis Cabrini Church in Piscataway. She was always an active member of her parish. A graduate of Fordham University, she had a M.S. and Ph.d. in Biochemistry and was also a Registered Nurse. Born in New York City, Jean was the youngest of nine children and had seven children of her own, Richard, Kenneth, Lawrence, Jeanne, Christopher, Frank and Kelly. In addition to her sisters and her children, Jean leaves behind a son-in-law, John; two daughters in-law, Debby and Wen; and seven precious grandchildren, Ryan, Craig, Thomas, John, Tara, Kevin and Christopher, who consumed her cookies with relish and learned how to putt as from a master. For the last six years, she lived at Spring Meadows in Trumbull. Her family would like to thank its dedicated staff for their warmth, their friendship, and their boundless compassion. They also wish to thank the staff of the Yale-New Haven Hospital Adler Clinic for all their care and good work. Friends may call on Friday, December 21, 2007 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Smith & Sefcik Funeral Home, 135 Broad St., Milford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 22 in Our Lady of Assumption Church in Fairfield at 10 a.m. Interment will be private and take place in New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean's memory to the Adler Geriatric Center at Yale-New Haven Hospital, 20 York Street, New Haven, CT 06510, Attention Kathy Matero. To leave condolences or for directions, please visit our website @ www.georgejsmithandson.com.