Sheila R. Murphy

TOWNSEND: Sheila R. (Gorham) Murphy, 80, of Townsend, died Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at Health Alliance – Leominster Hospital.
Her husband of 63 years, Charles J. "Jay" Murphy, died in July 2021.
Sheila was born in Fitchburg, October 10, 1943, the daughter of the late Frederick C. and Ruth (Belanger) Gorham and grew up on Hazel Street in Fitchburg. She has resided in Townsend for nearly 60 years.
She was a 1961 graduate of St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School in Fitchburg and later continued her education at Fitchburg State College where she received a Bachelors Degree in Nursing.
For over 45 years Sheila worked in a variety of positions at Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg before her retirement in 2017. Sheila was a member of St. John's Church in Townsend,
The American Nursing Association, Member of the Oncology Nursing Society and the Massachusetts Nurses Association. She served in an advisory capacity to the American Cancer Society and had served as an EMT to the Townsend Ambulance Service.
She leaves two sons, Sean C. Murphy and his wife, Margaret S. of Germantown, MD, Scott M. Murphy and his significant other, Tracy Griffin of Townsend; three grandchildren, Macklin S. Murphy, Mikaela L. Murphy, Margaret R. Murphy and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brother Gerald L. Gorham in 2003.
Sheila's Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 Am Monday, August 26, 2024 at St. John's Church, 1 School Street, Townsend. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.
Calling hours are 2-5 Sunday, August 25th at the Anderson Funeral Home, 250 Main Street (Rte 119) Townsend Center. wwwandersonfuneral.com
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.