RITA F. MURPHY

SCARBOROUGH – Rita Florence Murphy, 77, of Yarmouth died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008, after a yearlong struggle with cancer. Her family was at her side. She was born April 21, 1931, in Old Town, the daughter of Florence (Morin) and Charles Martin. She was educated in Catholic grade schools and graduated from Old Town High School. Rita worked for many years in the Yarmouth elementary school lunch program and for 18 years as a hostess at Down East Restaurant. She retired from being a hostess to care for her youngest granddaughter. For Rita, life was all about family. Being the wife of a career Navy man, home was most important and this was shown in her joy of cooking for any family gathering, be it holidays or Sunday dinners. Rita was a devout Catholic and her faith was an important part of her life. She loved to collect angels. Rita will be remembered for knowing how to make a home a home as a good cook and a fastidious housekeeper. She was strong willed, open and direct with a loving and nurturing character. She truly was the glue that held the Murphy family together. Her children and grandchildren all benefited because of it. Rita is survived by her husband of 55 years, Gerald “Jerry” Murphy of Yarmouth; her daughter, Deborah Emerson and her husband, Chris, of Yarmouth; her son, Michael Murphy of Litchfield; her daughter, Diane Whispell and her husband, Joseph, of Durham; her grandchildren, Amanda Whispell of Portland, Benjamin Whispell of Rangeley and Brittany Emerson of Yarmouth; and her brother, Richard Martin of Old Town. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Matthew Dugan and staff at Scarborough Cancer Center and to the staff of Gosnell Memorial Hospice. The loving care and support you gave to Rita and her family during her illness is greatly appreciated. Visiting hours will be 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth, ME 04096. There will be a Mass of Christian burial 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Sacred Heart Church, Yarmouth. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery also in Yarmouth. A reception will then be held at Sacred Heart Church Hall. The Murphy family has created a memorial of Rita’s life and it is available at www.mem.com. Please visit Rita’s memorial and share your condolences, memories and wishes with the Murphy family. For those who wish, donations may be made in Rita’s memory to Saint Jude’s Catholic Church Memorial Fund, 326 Main St., Yarmouth, ME 04096.