Margaret Mary Murphy

Westbrook - Margaret Mary Murphy, 91, died Saturday, September 23, 2017 at Springbrook Center of complications from dementia. Born in Boston on April 10, 1926, Mary was the daughter of the late Richard Charles and Sarah (Meagher) Murphy. The Murphy family moved to Portland where they lived on Peaks Island for several years, later residing on Codman Street. Margaret graduated from Deering High School in 1944. Following graduation, she began a 39 year career with the New England Telephone Company retiring in 1984. Peg served as president of the Telephone Pioneers, and in that role spent many years bettering the community. Although she stood just barely over five feet tall, Margaret seemed larger than life. Anyone who met Margaret never forgot her. She possessed a kind heart, powerful intellect, fierce wit, and razor-sharp tongue. Margaret was a stunner, with the most amazing baby blue eyes. As a young woman, she enjoyed an active social life, filled with friends, fun, romances and adventures. She lived her life independently, but never complained of being lonely. A voracious reader, her weakness was a good book. She often lamented that her household duties suffered due to this "flaw". Margaret kept up on current events by reading the newspaper and watching television news reports. Brian Williams was a particular favorite. Woe be it to any "birdbrain" her called her during his newscast. Never one to suffer fools gladly, she preferred the companionship of her four-legged friends. Margaret was a volunteer for many years at the South Portland Food Cupboard. She appreciated her numerous food pantry chums. Margaret lived a fiercely independent life with the help of many devoted and resilient caregiver friends. They included Kevin Conroy, Francine Gillooly and Celine Sedgeley. In addition to her beloved parents, Margaret was predeceased by her dear brothers, John R. "Jack", Robert, Charles W. "Bill", Philip and a darling sister, Jean (Murphy) Honan. Margaret was an unwavering source of support and inspiration to her independent niece, Elizabeth "Beth" Murphy of Scarborough. Margaret made a strong impression on everyone she met. She will be missed by many and remembered by all who encountered her. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland.