Constance A. Murphy

It is with great sadness that the family of Constance Ann "Connie" Murphy, announces her peaceful passing after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease, on Saturday evening, September 22, 2018, at the age of 84 years, at her home in Alfred, Maine with her immediate family by her side. Connie was born November 12, 1933 in Boston, Massachusetts to Pauline M. Wilson and Arnold M. Shatney of Roxbury, ME. She attended school in Rumford, ME and graduated from Stephens High School Class of 1952. Connie excelled in high school sports and received her letterman sweater. In her youth, she spent summers at the Wilson Homestead on Orr's and Bailey Islands where she worked on the family lobster boat and where she learned to cuss like a pirate. Connie graduated from the University of Maine, Farmington where she majored in Home Economics. Soon after graduation, Connie joined the U.S. Air Force, proudly serving during the Korean Conflict. This is also where she met her husband, John L. Murphy. Connie and John where married on June 25, 1960 in Mexico, Maine. Connie, as a wife to a U.S. Air Force Airman, traveled Europe by motorcycle where she made many friends and memories. She captured her European adventures in black and white photography, receiving awards for her ability to capture life on film. Connie's many passions were enthusiastically shared with the Girl Scouts as a Troop leader while in Europe and in the U.S. upon returning stateside. She shared her scouting adventures with her four children. Connie loved music. She gathered her children around and played the guitar, sang, and demonstrated her talent of yodeling and she yodeled with the best of them. After returning home to Maine, Connie spent summers with family and friends at Roxbury Pond, where she swam, fished, and hiked the backwoods of Maine. She loved to play guitar and sang for family and friends at what she endearingly referred to as Hootin' Annies. Connie's love of adventure had taken her gold panning on the East Branch of the Swift River. She included her children in these activities, especially when it was rockhounding time. In the mid 1970's, Connie helped stranded folks, truckers, and anyone in need that called out on the CB radio. She was a member of the Androscoggin Valley CB Club and her handle was Snowshoe Annie. In 1980, Connie joined the U.S. Army Reserves and was stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, MA, and later stationed with the 327th Medical Clearing Company where she served as a Medical Specialist in Brockton, Massachusetts. Staff Sergeant Murphy, in her late 40's, tackled the rigorous U.S. Army EFMB course and was awarded The Expert Field Medical Badge. This badge is worn by the fiercest of competitors and those who strive to help others in the direst of circumstances. Connie served her country honorably and with integrity. Connie's long love of motorcycling led her to Woman On Wheels, where she made many friends, had many adventures, and met the love of her life, Lorraine Roux. In the mid 1990's, Connie relocated to Alfred, ME from Massachusetts. She continued to work for the Town of Andover, Massachusetts, as a Maintenance Tech for the public library system. Once retired from the Town of Andover, she and Lorraine traveled the highways and by-way on motorcycles and the back county of Maine by ATV. When not on the road or in the woods, you could find Connie in her woodshop carefully crafting items by hand that she generously gave to family and friends. Connie, at age 80, finally parked her motorcycle to ride no more. She claimed she was the oldest motorcyclist in the country. Connie is survived by her dear friend of 18 years, Lorraine Roux of Alfred; her children, Cameron Murphy of Moriarty, NM; Shawn Murphy and Wife Debra of Rumford; Kevin Murphy of Maitland, Fla.; Michelle Murphy of Biddeford. Four grandchildren, AJ Murphy, Candice Clawson, Brandon Vlahakis-Murphy, and Cheyenne Murphy. Three siblings, Wayne Shatney and wife Sandy of Pownal, ME.; Gregory Shatney and wife Carol of Media, PA.; Bruce Shatney and wife Linda of Dover, NH; and many nieces and nephews. Connie was predeceased by her parents; Pauline M. (Wilson) Shatney and Arnold M. Shatney; her brother, Rudolph Shatney; and her husband, John L. Murphy.A graveside service with military honors will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, September 28th at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery located on Stanley Road in Springvale.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.To leave a message of condolence for the family please click on the condolences tab to the left.