HAMPDEN – P. Eileen Murphy, 67, passed away Jan. 16, 2006, at a Bangor hospital. She was born Aug. 1, 1938, in Merthyr Vale, South Wales, the daughter of Bartholomew and Edna Elizabeth (Jones) Murphy. Eileen grew up in London during World War II and later moved to the United States. She was a very patriotic person and was proud to be an American citizen. Eileen worked at and attended Sweet Briar College and the University of Maine. She had worked for the University of Maine for 27 years, most recently as administrative assistance to the director of Human Resources, before retiring in 2000. Eileen was a historian and enjoyed family genealogy. She was a loving and caring, mother, sister and most importantly grandmother, who adored her beloved grandchildren. Eileen will be remembered for her kind and generous ways and for her love of animals, especially dogs. She rescued three of her dogs from the Bangor Humane Society and they gave her much happiness; they were Tipper, Maggie and the dog she is survived by, Willie. Eileen was very civic minded and was involved with St. Matthews Catholic Church, the Hampden Historical Society, the Hampden Food Cupboard, Meals for Me and the Hampden Recreation Seniors Program. She was well known for her crocheting and her afghans, which she donated to shelters and to anyone needing warmth. Eileen was a breast cancer survivor of 20 years, before its recurrence prior to her passing. As a survivor, she was invited to speak on breast re-constructive surgery at St. Joseph Hospital. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen Collins Lees and Richard Lees of Vassalboro; three grandchildren, her first grandson, Jeffrey M. Lees, her only granddaughter, Andrea C. Lees and her second grandson born on her birthday, Kevin Murphy Lees; one brother, James Henry Murphy and his wife, Clair, of California; two sisters, Nora Pilotte of Waterville and Maureen Veneziano and her husband, Donald, of Hampden; her former mother-in-law, Lola Collins of Auburn, many nieces, nephews; and her true friend, Lei Hasey of Orono amongst her many friends. Visiting hours will be held 3-5 p.m. Friday, at the Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, with a memorial service to be held 5 p.m., with the Rev. Mr. Frederick Harrigan, deacon of St. Matthews Catholic Church, officiating. Interment in the springtime will be in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Waterville. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Bangor Humane Society, 693B Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401 or to the P. Eileen Murphy Memorial Breast Cancer Fund, care of St. Joseph Healthcare, P.O. Box 1638, Bangor, ME 04402-1638. Messages of condolence or memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com
P. EILEEN MURPHY
