Sister Janice Murphy, R.S.M.

Portland - Sister Janice Murphy, R.S.M., 81, died peacefully on February 23, 2023, at Sedgewood Commons, Falmouth, after declining health. Sister Janice was the daughter of Margaret McDonough Murphy and Patrick J. Murphy and was born in Portland on May 4, 1941. While living on Munjoy Hill, Sister Janice graduated from Portland High School and worked a short time before entering the Sisters of Mercy, Portland in 1962. There, she began her religious formation as well as attending St. Joseph’s College, Standish and obtaining her B.S. in Education. Before beginning her teaching career, Sister Janice spent several years in Brownville Junction doing pastoral work and teaching religion. She frequently visited those who were poor or marginalized and carried this on throughout all her ministries. She then worked for Catholic Charities at Holy Innocents Home Care, Portland, caring for the home bound. Sister Janice also spent three years at Mercy Hospital in the EKG department. After those experiences, Sister Janice began her education ministry in the parochial school system and was assigned to St. Joseph School, Portland; St. Patrick School, Portland; St. Mary School, Biddeford and Cathedral Elementary School, Portland. She then began her graduate studies and obtained her M.S. in Theology from St. Michael College, Winooski, Vermont. Her concentration was in pastoral work and spirituality and with that background, she began the next phase of her ministry in “the County”. For nineteen years Sister Janice ministered in the Presque Isle and Limestone parishes as Pastoral Associate and Resource Person for Aroostook County. In this ministry, she touched the lives of all ages. Whatever projects were taking place in the parish, Sister Janice was there! Her availability to people was evident in the way she lived her motto, ‘’Love Serves.” Taking with her the wonderful memories of Aroostook County, she then headed to Washington County where she enjoyed working with the parishioners in Eastport, Lubec and Pleasant Point. Sister Janice lived in the convent at Pleasant Point Reservation in Perry and it was there she met the Passamaquoddy People that grew so dear to her heart. Upon hearing of her death, one parishioner of St. Ann’s remarked, “she loved us and we loved her.” Sister Janice loved all things Irish! She knew the words to all her favorite Irish tunes and belted them out in rare form. Her fun loving ways, laughter and quick wit entertained many. Sister Janice loved the Scriptures and lived them in word and action for sixty-one years as a Sister of Mercy. Sister Janice was predeceased by her parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She is survived by her sister, Ann Louise DeBontis and her husband Joseph, Poultney, VT.; her brother, Daniel Murphy and his wife Ellen, Portland, ME.; a niece and several nephews and their families; cousins and her Sisters in community. We would like to thank the staff at Sedgewood Commons for their excellent care of Sister Janice and Compassus Hospice for their compassionate attention during her last days. Visiting Hours will be held at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland on Thursday, March 2 from 3PM-5:30PM immediately followed by a prayer service. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Friday, March 3 at 10:15AM followed by a 11AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. To view Sister Janice’s memorial page, or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com. In lieu of flowers donations to the Sisters of Mercy, 966 Riverside St., Portland.