WORCESTER-Elizabeth F. “Bette” (MacDonald) Murley, 93, of 555 Plantation Street formerly of 36 Courtland Street and Shrewsbury died Wednesday, June 18th in Notre Dame Long Term Care Center after an illness. Her husband of 60 years, James E. Murley, Sr. died in 2002. She leaves 4 sons, James E. Murley, Jr. of Danbury, CT, Dr. Joseph M. Murley of Portland, OR, Daniel F. Murley of Jenner, CA, Michael S. Murley of Monte Rio, CA; 3 daughters, Mary E. McGee and Sheila Herbst both of Worcester and Ellen T. Mirarchi of Shrewsbury; a sister, Mary Stimpson of Worcester; 14 grandchildren, a great granddaughter and many nieces and nephews. A brother, Donald MacDonald and a sister, Theresa Babin predeceased her.
She was born in Worcester the daughter of Martin E. and Ellen T. (Donohue) MacDonald and lived in Worcester most of her life. She graduated from Ascension High School and was class valedictorian, Worcester Normal School and received her bachelor and master’s degrees from Worcester State College. She also took graduate courses at Clark University, Assumption College and Boston University. Mrs. Murley was a guidance counselor for many years at Belmont Community School and Union Hill School where she retired in 1977. Previously she was a kindergarten teacher at Heard Street, Rice Square and New Ludlow Schools. She was a member of the National Education Association, Massachusetts Teacher’s Association, Education Association of Worcester, Worcester Art Museum, Worcester Music Festival, former President of the Women’s Guild at St. Charles Borromeo Church and the Sorin Society at the University of Notre Dame. Mrs. Murley was an accomplished pianist and loved gardening.
The funeral will be Saturday, June 21st from O’Connor Brothers Funeral Home, 592 Park Avenue with a Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be Friday, June 20th from 5:00 until 8:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jeff & Bette Murley Scholarship, University of Notre Dame, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana, 46556 or to St. John’s High School, 378 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.