NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Esther M. (Hubbard) Murphy, 92, formerly of Auburn, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 13, at the Sutton Hill Center in North Andover, Mass.

The daughter of the late Don C. and Marie (Shackford) Hubbard, she was born in Auburn on Nov. 18, 1915, before the family moved to Monmouth. She graduated in 1938 from the Posse School in Kendal Green, Weston, Mass., in physical education.

She began her teaching career in Waterville, before returning to Auburn in 1946. “Mother” Murphy, as she was fondly known, taught girls physical education for 21 years at Edward Little High School and was the advisor to the girls cheerleading squad, until her retirement in 1977.

She loved working in her flower gardens at her home on Court Street in Auburn and visiting with her grandsons. She was the widow of John J. Murphy Sr., whom she met in Newport, R.I., and shared 58 years of marriage, prior to his death in 2003.

She is survived by her son, John J. Murphy Jr. and his wife, Alana, of Baldwinsville, N.Y.; daughter, Patricia Murphy Bozek and her husband, John, of North Andover, Mass.; three grandsons, Sean Murphy and his wife, Sarah, of Charlotte, N.C., Michael Murphy of New York, N.Y., and William Bozek of North Andover, Mass.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was also the sister of the late Donald Hubbard, Falvius Hubbard and Doris (Hubbard) Reardon.