Judith Ann Murphy

Judith Ann (Potter) Murphy, 92, of Naples, FL, formerly of Peabody, MA, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2025, in hospice with her loving family at her side. Born on September 17th,1932, in Boston, MA, Judy graduated from Melrose High School in 1950. Judy attended The Kathryn Gibbs secretarial school (Boston), followed by a short career as a Medical Secretary at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. Judy married her high school sweetheart, Bill (Murph), in 1955. Over the next nearly four decades, Judy and Bill started and raised a family of eight children while moving with Bill’s work assignments to New Jersey, Peru and Texas, finally settling in Peabody, MA from 1962-1992. They were well respected stalwarts of the community and the local church for 30 years, as well as mainstays at their children's sporting events. After two more years in Houston, TX at the end of Bill’s career, Judy and Bill retired to Spanish Wells Golf & Country Club, Bonita Springs, FL in 1994, and moved to Naples in 2020. Judy, Judith, Jude, Mom, Great/Grandma was a devoted wife and mother, a tireless caretaker of her family who transcended any personal want of her own, and a dedicated member of the Catholic Church. The fruits of her selfless labor are brightly reflected in the accomplishments, careers and families of her children. The old adage, behind every great man is a great woman, could not hold any truer for Judy. While Bill may have engineered and built the ship, make no mistake, Judy was at the helm. She managed the lives and multifaceted sporting/school/health/work/extracurricular schedules of 10 people with the precision of a field general, nary a complaint. All 27 of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren remain her greatest legacy. Judy and Bill were the epitome of parents who worked and prayed with the future of their children always utmost in mind. Spending time with, and watching them compete and excel in school, sports and in life, was their greatest reward. After retiring to Bonita Springs, Judy and Bill became regulars on the Spanish Wells Golf and Social scene, never missing an opportunity to have dinner at the club and dance the night away. Judy was particularly proud of her many year run as the Bocce doubles champion or appearance in the finals. They loved most to have visits with their family, dining out with friends, traveling, and seeing Off Broadway plays and musicals. In her younger years, Judy loved to ice skate and sing in local lounges. In retirement she loved a trip to the hair and nail salon, her movies, Soap Operas, a good book, all the singing and talent/dance competition TV shows and a well crafted cocktail. She also had an endearing love of sweets. Most of all she loved her family. This Saint of a mother will be dearly missed. Judy is survived by her loving sons William, Kevin, Brian, Scott, Michael, and Steven; her adoring daughters Lisa (Murphy) Fitzpatrick and Christine (Murphy) Arena; her grandchildren Christopher, Matthew, Nicholas, Ryan, David, Leo, Anna, Patrick, Daniel, Julia, Victoria, and Andrew; her great-grandchildren Colton, Sloane, Miranda, Miles, Maxwell and Noelle; her daughters-in-law Nancy, Deborah, Jean, Mary Kara, and Ashley; her sons-in-law Brian and Andrew; her granddaughters-in-law Saemi and Maureen; her grandson-in-law Austin. Judy was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, William T. Murphy (2022), her father Grafton W. Potter, her mother Mary A.(Kuhn) Potter, her stepmother Beatrice (Mercier) Potter, and her brother Grafton (Skip) W. Potter Jr. A Funeral Mass will be held on June 20, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Adelaide's Catholic Church, Peabody, MA, followed by burial service at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home, Family Owned Since 1978.

Judith Ann Murphy

September 17, 1932 - February 22, 2025