Karen Majel Jones Murphy

Karen Majel Jones Murphy, Beloved mother, nurse, and community angel passed peacefully at home on July 23rd, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was 76 years old.

Karen was originally from Atlanta, Georgia, previously resided in Fairfield Connecticut, and spent her final years on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where she found deep connection, purpose, and community.

Karen devoted her life to caring for others-as a loving mother, a dedicated nurse, and a quiet force of compassion. She is lovingly remembered by her son, Chris Murphy, and daughter-in-law, Sheri Thimas, of Plymouth, MA; and by her daughter, Allison Murphy, of Cape Cod, MA. They carry forward her kindness, integrity, and unshakable sense of purpose.

She is also survived by her cherished sisters, Charlene (and Vincent) Rigoli of Newtown, CT and Melinda Fraleigh of Cape Cod MA, as well as two beloved granddaughters, Jessica Murphy of Boston and Julia Murphy of Charleston, South Carolina.

Karen was predeceased by her father and mother, Fred and Ruth Jones; and her sisters, Deborah Fawcett and Luanne Buckelew.

As a career nurse, Karen served countless patients and families with expertise, warmth, and grace. After retiring from nursing, she continued her service with the Barnstable Police Department and several Cape Cod social service organizations, focusing on outreach to those most in need. To many, she was known simply as "Saint Karen"-a testament to the dignity and compassion she offered to every person she met.

She believed deeply in the power of presence-showing up, listening without judgment, and offering help without hesitation. She made people feel safe, seen, and loved, and in doing so, left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

In the weeks before her passing, Karen was honored by her family and friends at a joyful and heartfelt living memorial-a celebration of her remarkable life, surrounded by music, laughter, and the people she loved most.

Her legacy lives on in her children, her granddaughters, her sisters, her daughter-in-law, her many friends, and in every life she quietly uplifted.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Karen's memory to the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Cape Cod & the Islands (https://namicapecod.org/) or Cape Cod Times neighbor's fund

(https://neighborsfund.org/donate/)