Sylvia Murphy
1926 – 2009
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, Dec. 5, 1926, daughter of Ralph and Naomi (Smith) Nichols. Immediately after 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.
She 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 of Wiscasset, Sharon Girardin of Jay and Wendy Murphy of Canton; two granddaughters, Ivy and Scott Anthony, two great-granddaughters, Elle and Mae, and great-grandson, Reed of Milton, Mass., Heide and Erik Hassing of Stanhope, N.J.; five grandsons, Erik and Lonnetta Girardin of York, Pa., Ian Hanson of Annandale, Va., Aaron and Anna Hanson, great-granddaughter, Noelle of Waltham, Capt. Drew Hanson of Ft. Knox, Tenn., and Dane Hanson of Orono; and sister, Frances Yeaton of Lewiston.
She was predeceased by her husband, Jack in 1984; parents; sister, Lina Lambert; and 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.