Mary Kelley Murphy

Mary Kelley Murphy, of Durham, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. A devoted wife, cherished mother and grandmother, and a beloved children's librarian, Mary's life was a testament to her gentle strength, her passion for lifelong learning, and her deep, abiding love for her family.
Born in Beloit, Wisconsin, on April 4, 1938, Mary was the daughter of Daniel Thomas and Arthis Holm Kelley. She grew up in Beloit with her brothers, Tom, Jim, and Mick. The family home was made even more special by her Aunt Alice Kelley, who lived with them for many years and with whom Mary shared a close, lifelong bond.
A natural educator, Mary earned a Bachelor's degree in Education from The College of St. Francis, a Master's in Special Education from the University of Hartford, and a Certificate in Library Science from St. Joseph College. She began her career teaching elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, and Foxboro, MA, before discovering her true calling as a children's librarian.
For 15 years, she nurtured the curiosity and joy of reading in countless young minds, serving 10 years at the Kent Memorial Library in Suffield, CT, and 5 years at the Warehouse Point Library in East Windsor, CT. Her warmth, creativity, and gentle humor made her a nurturing presence to generations of children.
In 1961, Mary met her lifelong partner, Paul Murphy, on a blind date while he was spending the summer working in Beloit. Their meeting sparked a romance that led to their marriage on December 30, 1961, and 64 loving years together.
Together, they built a life filled with family and adventure. They made their first home in Foxboro, MA, before settling in Suffield, CT, for nearly four decades to raise their family. They relocated to New Hampshire upon retirement, enjoying 20 wonderful years in Hampton, and from 2019, in Durham.
Mary's greatest joy was her family. She and Paul were the loving parents of five children: Ann (Peter) Long, Karen (Paul) Haas, Kelly Murphy, Paul Murphy III (aka "Fin"), and Dan (Sarah) Murphy. She was the proud and loving grandmother of twelve: Meghan, Abby, and Matthew Long; Curtis and Sam Haas; Sean, Christopher, and Shannon Murphy; Rachael and Ian Murphy; and Sage and Felix Murphy.
Her family circle was wide and treasured. Mary found the sister she never had in her sister-in-law, Sidney "Tinker" Murphy. Mary and Paul shared countless memories and family gatherings with Tinker and Paul's late brother, Blaine (1941–2021), and their sons, Sean and Greg. Though geographically distant, Mary and family also connected with her siblings and their families, most memorably in summer gatherings on the Outer Banks.
Mary soaked up life's simple joys - reading a good book, tending her garden, walking along the beach, or enjoying an ice cream cone. Her curiosity extended to travel; she embraced adventures both near and far, from trips to the nearby beaches of Maine to explorations across Europe and Africa.
Mary will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her unwavering devotion to her family, and the countless children whose lives she brightened with stories. Her legacy is one of kindness, learning, and love.
A service to celebrate Mary's life will be held at 10 am on November 8th at the Church of St Thomas More in Durham, NH.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mary's memory to the Suffield Public Library Foundation (P.O. Box 606, Suffield CT, 06078), to continue her life's work of sharing the joy of reading with children.