Helen Francis (Cadigan) Murphy, 97, formerly of Dedham, MA, passed away peacefully the afternoon of February 15, 2025, at Bay Path Rehabilitation Center in Duxbury following a period of declining health.
Helen was born on May 26,1927 to Helen Louise (Devine) Cadigan and Francis James Cadigan. She was an only child who had to learn responsibility very young when her own mother sadly passed when she was just 13 years old. When not caring for her father Frank, Helen enjoyed playing the bass drum in the band, playing with her dog Peter and swimming, skating and canoeing down the Charles River in Riverdale.
Helen was a graduate of Dedham H.S, Class of 1944. It was here that she met and fell in love with Joseph (Joe) Francis Murphy. They were married on June 12,1948 following Joe’s return from the war. They celebrated 71 years of marriage before Joe’s passing in July 2019. They resided for the greater part of their lives across from Paul Park on 23 Tower Street where they raised their six children.
Helen, the selfless, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, was the matriarch of the Murphy household. Her unwavering support, kindness and love have been a role model for her entire family. She was the “Rock” that held everything together and always exhibited tremendous strength and grace as she unquestionably supported her husband and children in their life’s endeavors. Helen may have been the smallest of her clan, but she definitely stood the tallest, strongest and most proud. She set a very high bar.
Helen is lovingly remembered by her daughter and 5 sons: Peter and wife Martha of Pawley’s Island, SC, Mary Fitzgerald and husband Bill of Plymouth, MA, John and wife Sue of Middlebury, VT, Jim and wife Katie of Gloucester, MA, Tim and wife Abby of Oxford, MS, and Joseph A. and wife Pam of Syracuse, UT.
She was also blessed with 14 grandchildren: Peter Murphy and Katie Murphy (predeceased), Kaileigh Kitchens, Billy and Katie Fitzgerald, Sean and Chad Murphy, Erin Grannemann, Kelly Morrow, Colleen Meek, Hayley, Thomas, and Patrick Murphy and Kyle Murphy. Her 11 loving great grandchildren will also greatly miss their Nana.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated in her memory on Saturday, March 1st, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 420 High Street, Dedham. Helen’s family will hold visiting hours on March 1st before the service from 9:00 am -10:30 am at the George F. Doherty & Son’s Funeral Home, 456 High Street, Dedham, MA. Rites of committal and interment will follow the service at the Brookdale Cemetery, where Helen will be laid to rest with her late husband Joe and her parents. Flowers and expressions of one’s affection may be sent to the funeral home.
The family would like to especially thank the staff of the Bay Path Rehabilitation and Nursing Home of Duxbury. MA as well as the team at Cranberry Hospice and Palliative Care for their kindness, care, and compassion for our mother and the family throughout her stay.