Kathleen L. Murphy
October 2, 1942 — June 14, 2010
WINCHENDON - Kathleen L. Murphy, 67, of 730 Alger Street, Winchendon, a well-known retired teacher and coach in the Winchendon community, died unexpectedly Monday, June 14th at her summer residence in Rindge, NH.
She was born in Greenfield, MA on October 2, 1942, the daughter of the late Alvin and Anna (Riley) Murphy and had lived in Winchendon since the age of 24. She was a 1960 graduate of Frontier High School in Deerfield, MA, graduated from Holyoke Junior College and Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, with a major in Physical Education. Later in life she returned to school, and in 1998, she received her Master's Degree in Education from Lesley College.
Kathy was a physical education teacher in the Winchendon School System for many years until her retirement in 2002. During that time, she coached field hockey, basketball and softball teams for 31 years, retiring in 1999. She had many championship teams and many district titles. Her teams won many championships due to her excellent coaching. Kathy was currently a member of the Town of Winchendon School Committee, a volunteer teacher and a member of the Board of Directors of the Wendell P. Clark Memorial YMCA. She was the first woman inducted to the Murdock High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. She was also elected in to the Massachusetts Sports Hall of Fame and The New Agenda Hall of Fame. For years she played semi pro basketball and softball, playing for such teams as the Orange Devils and Royalettes. She enjoyed camping, playing golf and watching her grandchildren grow.
In 1975, her sister, Margaret A. Salter died and she raised her sister's three children, Kenneth, John and Brian. She is survived by a brother, John T. Murphy of Jefferson, NH; four nephews, Kenneth A. Salter of Lebanon, NH, John C. Salter and his wife Amy of Winchendon, Brian K. Salter and his wife Carolyn of Winchendon and Charles P. Murphy; one niece Marjorie A. Proulx and her husband Brian of Haverhill and three grandchildren, Lauren Salter, Andrew Salter and Anna Salter.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 19th at 4 P.M. in the Murdock Middle/High School Gymnasium, 3 Memorial Drive, Winchendon. Burial will be in Howland Cemetery, Conway, MA.
Calling hours will be held Friday, June 18th from 3 to 7 P.M. in the Murdock Middle/High School Gymnasium, 3 Memorial Drive, Winchendon.
Memorial donations may be made to the Kathleen L. Murphy Athletic Scholarship Fund c/o Murdock Middle High School, 3 Memorial Drive, Winchendon, MA. 01475.
Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.