Mary “May” (Fitzpatrick) Brophy, age 95 of Brockton, died peacefully at her home on April 8, 2023, with family by her side. May was the loving wife of the late Thomas Brophy, who was a native of Galway, Ireland. They were married for 58 joyful years. Born and raised in Ballyglass, County Mayo, Ireland, May was the daughter of the late Martin and Mary (O’Toole) Fitzpatrick.
May immigrated to the United States in 1947, living first in South Weymouth before moving to Brockton, which was her home for the past 67 years. An exceptional cook, May devoted 25 years of service as the cook and housekeeper at St. Colman Church.
May was a long-time communicant and volunteer of St. Colman Church and a member of the Ladies Sodality. She also volunteered at Cardinal Spellman High School and was a member of the Parents Association. For many years, May was also a member of Ireland’s Own of Brockton.
While May was devoted to community and church, her greatest joy in life was her family. Through the years she and Tom enjoyed numerous trips to Ireland to visit family and looked forward to weekly calls to keep up with the news from “home.” May enjoyed cooking, baking and hosting family and friends. There was always room to welcome more at her table, and much laughter to be shared. May never lost her distinctive Irish brogue or her love of sports, especially the Mayo County, Ireland football team. Whether her brother, Billy, was playing or announcing, she enthusiastically tuned in to the games to hear him greet her on-air, and to hear the action on the field. May had a wonderful laugh and sharp wit and she will be especially remembered for her kind and generous heart.
May is survived by her children: Patrick Brophy, MD, and his wife, Theresa, of Wareham; Mary “Maureen” Brophy, MD, of Brockton; Thomas Brophy, Esq. and his wife, Kristine, of Brockton; Daniel Brophy and his wife, Cheryl, of Lehigh Acres, FL; Kevin Brophy of Brockton; and Martin Brophy and his wife, Jennifer Kovalich-Brophy, of Brockton; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of Helen Monaghan and Winifred Joyce of Woodridge, NJ; Delia Ryan of County Cork, Ireland; Kathleen Kearns, Michael Fitzpatrick, and Billy Fitzpatrick, of County Mayo, Ireland; and Martin Fitzpatrick of County Limerick, Ireland; and the late Anthony, Ann, Patrick, James and Thomas Fitzpatrick.
Visiting Hours will be held at the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte. 123), Brockton, on Monday, April 17, from 4-8pm. The funeral procession will gather at the funeral home Tuesday at 9:30am for a funeral Mass at Christ the King Church at 10:30am. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.
Should friends desire, donations may be made in May’s name to Cardinal Spellman High School, Brophy Family Scholarship, 738 Court Street, Brockton, MA 02301.