BARBARA A. MURPHY

MURPHY, Barbara A. (Breslin) Beloved Wife, Sister, Educator Mrs. Barbara A. Murphy, of Waltham, formerly of Somerville and Arlington, died Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Aberjona Nursing Center in Winchester. She was 97. Barbara was born in Somerville on October 1, 1928, daughter of the late Charles and Rose (Niles) Breslin. Raised in Somerville, she graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston that year. Barbara earned her A.B. from Regis College with a major in Latin and minor in French, followed by an M.A. in Latin from Boston College. She pursued further studies in choral conducting, Gregorian chant, and Spanish, including a Rockefeller Grant to the Oberlin Conservatory and coursework in Italy. A dedicated educator and member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, Barbara began her teaching career in 1949 at elementary schools in Brookline and Medford. She later taught Latin and French at Cardinal Spellman High School in Brockton, then Latin, French, and choral music at Matignon and Pope John XXIII high schools. From 1971 to 1993, she taught at Woburn Senior High School, and was the Foreign Language Department Chairperson. Certified in multiple languages and choral music, she loved singing and often directed school choirs. She also taught English courses at Regis College. Barbara met her future husband, CPO Thomas W. Murphy, USN (Ret.), at Woburn High School, where he was the NJROTC instructor. They married February 16, 1973, at St. Catherine of Genoa Church in Somerville. The couple settled in Arlington, before moving to Waltham in 2006. In retirement, they traveled. Barbara was an active member of Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church in Waltham. She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas W. Murphy; her brothers, Charles, Jr., Joseph, Edwin, Paul, Daniel, James and John Breslin; and her sisters, Mary Breslin, Margaret Durant, Genevieve Breslin and Joan Fallon. Barbara leaves her sister and best friend, Rose Blake of Lexington; and many nieces, nephews and their families. Family and friends will honor and remember Barbara's life by gathering for a morning Wake from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, October 28, at Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), WALTHAM, followed by procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be private. For guest book and directions, please visit www.JoyceFuneralHome.com