CANTON – Sylvia Murphy, 82, lifetime resident of Livermore Falls, passed away Sunday, July 12 while surrounded by her family at her daughter’s home in Canton.
She was born in Fayette, December 5, 1926, daughter of Ralph and Naomi (Smith) Nichols. Immediately following graduation from Livermore Falls High School, she went to Washington, D.C. to work for the Department of the Navy. Later she worked for Western Union and Ham’s Drug Store.
She married John “Jack” Murphy, June 1947 and they made their home at Jack’
s family home on Moose Hill. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and friend. When her three daughters were young, she was a dynamic participant in their many extracurricular activities that included, PTA, Band Boosters, 4-H, Baptist Youth Fellowship, girls sports, dance, piano, clarinet, saxophone and other lessons. After her daughters left home, her busy schedule continued with love and support for her two granddaughters and five grandsons. She seldom missed a band concert, school play/event, baseball, basketball or football game.
Sylvia enjoyed golf, bowling, word/number games, crossword puzzles, cribbage, bridge and most of all her grandchildren. Throughout life, she helped and enjoyed her neighbors, church friends at Moose Hill Baptist Church, the Red Hats and volunteer activities at the Community Food Cupboard, Franklin County Hospital, Church Bible School and Literacy Volunteers.
She is survived by her three daughters, Gayle Murphy, Wiscasset; Sharon Girardin, Jay; Wendy Murphy, Canton; two granddaughters, Ivy and Scott Anthony – great-granddaughters Elle and Mae and great-grandson, Reed, Milton, MA; Heide and Erik Hassing, Stanhope, NJ; five grandsons, Erik and Lonnetta Girardin, York, PA; Ian Hanson, Annandale, VA; Aaron and Anna Hanson, great-granddaughter Noelle, Waltham, ME; Capt. Drew Hanson, Ft Knox, TN; Dane Hanson, Orono, and sister Frances Yeaton, Lewiston.
She was predeceased by her husband, Jack in 1984; parents; sister, Lina Lambert; brothers Waldo and Steve Nichols.
The family wishes to acknowledge a special gratitude to the staff at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice. Additional thanks for the extraordinary compassion from Brittany and Bonnie.
Funeral services will be held, 2 p.m., Thursday, July 16, 2009 at Wiles Remembrance Center, 308 Franklin Rd., Rte 133, Jay. Interment will follow at the Moose Hill Cemetery in Livermore Falls. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, 15 Strawberry Avenue, PO Box 819, Lewiston, ME 04243. Words of condolence may be sent via e-mail to info@wilesrc.com.
