Kathleen A. (cash) Murphy

Newton, NH: Kathleen A. (Cash) Murphy, 63, of Newton, NH died peacefully on December 1, 2014 at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston following a courageous battle with cancer. Her family is convinced that she is now singing a joyful song and providing technical directions to heaven's choir of angels. A former longtime resident of Haverhill, MA and Plaistow, NH, Mrs. Murphy lived in Ocala, FL for six years before moving back to the area for treatment at Dana Farber, and to be near her family, a year and a half ago.

Born in Lowell, MA and raised and educated in Haverhill, MA, daughter of the late John P. and Helen T. (Finneral) Cash, she attended St. James Grammar School and graduated from Haverhill High School with the Class of 1969. After raising her three girls, Mrs. Murphy went on to receive her Associates Degree in Business with Highest Honors from Northern Essex Community College and later graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bradford College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Humanities. She received a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Tufts University in 1992.

Mrs. Murphy worked as a middle school Language Arts teacher for over twenty years, first at Memorial Middle School in Hudson, NH and later at the Pike School, Andover, MA, and most recently at Oak Hill School in Gainesville, FL.

An accomplished and well known soloist in the Greater Haverhill area for many years, Mrs. Murphy began her music career taking part in local musical theatre groups at the age of fourteen, most notably with Sacred Hearts Drama Guild, where she played the role of "Eliza Doolittle" in My Fair Lady and "Lady Guinevere" in Camelot. She also took part in productions by the Scotland Hill Players. She served as the Director of Music at Sacred Hearts Parish in Bradford for eighteen years and was a popular soloist for weddings and funerals in local churches.

Mrs. Murphy enjoyed spending summer vacations in Wolfeboro, NH on Lake Winnipesaukee, and weekend trips for scenic drives, dining, and overnights at quaint Bed and Breakfasts. She traveled across the United States and throughout Europe and Canada and also enjoyed hiking, gardening, concerts and craft fairs. Mrs. Murphy was a true lifelong learner. An avid reader and writer, Kathy truly enjoyed sharing her love of the humanities with others. She made sure to instill that same passion in her children, grandchildren and students over the years.

She is survived by her husband of forty-four years, Brian D. Murphy, three daughters and sons-in-law, Erin C. and Kevin Camire of Atkinson, Jennifer E. and Jeffrey Judkins of Bradford, MA, and Meghan E. and Christopher Theriault of Epsom, NH, two brothers, John P. "Jack" Cash, Jr. of Plaistow, and William T. "Bill" Cash and his wife Patricia of Plaistow, five grandchildren, Landon, Caleb and Declan Theriault, and Ryan and Nora Judkins, and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mrs. Murphy's Life Celebration on Friday, December 5, 2014 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main Street, Route 121A, Plaistow, NH. Her funeral will begin on Saturday at 8:45 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Sacred Hearts Church, Bradford, MA. Burial will follow in Saint James Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284. To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website, www.brooksidechapelfh.com.