SALEM - Blanche Rose (Genest) Murphy, 86, wife of the late Joseph T. Murphy, died Monday afternoon, May 30, 2005, at Harborside Cedar Glen Nursing Home in Danvers.
A native of Salem, she was the daughter of the late Ulric and Victoria (Gagnon) Genest, both born in Canada. Bilingual, she grew up speaking French, was educated in the Salem public schools and lived in Salem most of her life. She was a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Peabody.
Blanche was a classic American homemaker of her generation. She lovingly brought up three rambunctious sons and was devoted to her husband, Joe, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. With her husband, she
was active in Chapter 84 of the Disabled American Veterans. A member of the Chapter's Auxiliary, Blanche marched proudly in Memorial Day and other parades. A traditional, giving wife, she supported her husband in
countless ways. She was an excellent cook and provided generous hospitality to their veteran friends, particularly to the late Phillip J. Feehily, who was always welcome in their home and considered part of the
family.
Hardworking, resourceful and self-effacing, she was brought up to take care of others' needs. All of her family, near and far, were a source of great enjoyment to her. She shared over 36 years of marriage
with Joe until his death in 1976. After her retirement from full-time homemaking, Blanche was able to pursue her love of travel, visiting Texas, Hawaii, and Disneyworld and making several trips to Florida. She went on a European excursion from Paris to Oslo, Norway, with many stops in between, and most importantly, Blanche fulfilled a life-long wish to visit the Moulin Rouge in Paris. She traveled in Europe with her son, Tom, and his wife, Mary, Mary's parents, Helen and Edward (Chuck) Choicianowski, both of Poughkeepsie, NY, and her dear friend, Ethel Weston. She also enjoyed many local trips in New England with her closest friends, including the late Pauline Hincman. She enjoyed doing a variety of yarn handcrafts, which she loved to give as gifts to family and friends.
In 1993, after a stroke left her partially paralyzed, she moved to Gloucester with her son, Tom, and his wife, Mary, a Registered Nurse, whose loving care helped Blanche to maintain as much of her independence
as possible. In 1995, Blanche became a resident at the Cedar Glen Nursing Home, which was in every sense her home for the remainder of her life. She appreciated the wonderful care she received and the many kindnesses shown to her by the staff, many of whom became her friends and extended family. She enjoyed the activities provided and participated in them as much as she was able. She remained determined to
live as fully as she could and inspired everyone with her tenacity despite her physical disabilities.
She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, John A. and Gwendolyn Murphy of Pearland, Texas; Thomas H. and Mary Murphy of Punta Gorda, Florida; and Joseph M. and Patricia Murphy of Salem; a
daughter-in-law and her husband, Joanne E. Murphy-Moir and Fred Moir of Lynn; four grandchildren, Michael Murphy of Edcouch, Texas, Deann Black of Friendswood, Texas, Elizabeth Murphy of Salem, and Major Jeffrey Murphy, USMC, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, serving at Quantico, Virginia; two great-grandchildren, Crystal Murphy and Alexander Murphy; a sister-in-law, Jennie (Mrs. Edmond) Genest of Lynn; several nieces and nephews, and her very dear friends, Louise Mallard of Salem and Ethel Weston of Lynn, formerly of Salem.
She was predeceased by five brothers, Edmond "Tuts" Genest, Robert Genest, Henry "Whitey" Genest, Paul Genest and Roger "Blue" Genest.
Private funeral services was held at the convenience of the family. Funeral arrangements by the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common. For those who desire, donations may be made in her memory to either the Hospice of The North Shore, 10 Elm, St., Danvers, MA 01923, or to a local veterans organization of one’s choice. For on line guest book, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.