Rachel T. (Finn) Murphy

WINCHENDON - Rachel T. (Finn) Murphy, 88, of 17 Oak Street, Winchendon, died Tuesday, May 30th in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, following an illness. She was born in Winchendon on May 23,1918, the daughter of Francis E. and Catherine (Violette) Finn and was raised in Grafton. She lived in Winchendon for most of her life. Rachel was a graduate of Grafton High School with the class of 1936 and attended Becker Junior College. She was a secretary at the Winchendon School for 20 years before her retirement. Rachel was a communicant of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, where she was a lector and sang in the choir. She was active in the Democratic Party, and was a poll worker in Winchendon for many years. She was a past president of the Eugene M. Connor Post 193 American Legion Auxiliary, a member of the Winchendon Historical Society, a member of the former Daughters of Isabella, and volunteered at the Winchendon Town Hall and Murdock High School Library. Her husband of 40 years, Arthur H. Murphy, died in 1982. Rachel leaves six sons, Arthur H. Murphy, Jr., Francis M. Murphy, John R. Murphy, James T. Murphy, Paul C. Murphy and Lawrence A. Murphy, all of Winchendon; two daughters, Sheila R. Murphy of New Salem and Katherine E. Mallette of Athol; 21 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a twin brother, Richard Finn, in 1977. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 2nd from the Snow-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 A.M. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce Street. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home will be Thursday, June 1st from 6 to 9 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to the Murdock Sports Boosters, c/o Betty J. Blodgett, 64 North Street, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Restoration Fund, 52 Spruce Street, both of Winchendon, MA. 01475, or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA. 01701. www.snow-ladeau.com