BANGOR – Christina G. Murphy, 83, passed away peacefully Jan. 30, 2011, surrounded by her loving family at Maine Veterans Home. She was born Oct. 16, 1927, in Dexter, the daughter of Philip and Victoria Goulette.
Tina graduated from N.H. Fay High School, Dexter, Class of 1945, where she participated in marching band, athletics and student government. She continued her education at Westbrook Junior College graduating in 1947. Upon graduation she moved to Augusta where she worked at Togus Veteran’s Center. It was while working in Augusta that she met Joe Murphy and they later married Sept. 1, 1952, in Dexter. Tina was a woman of many talents with multiple opportunities, yet she chose the calling to be a devoted wife and mother. Together she and Joe raised their six children primarily residing in Brewer. Tina was very active in the Parish of St. Teresa’s in her roles of choir director, religious education coordinator, director of numerous Christmas pageants, and soloist at countless weddings and funerals. Once her own children were in school, Tina began substitute teaching and eventually taught remedial reading at St. Mary’s, St. John’s and Bangor public schools. Tina was active in her community as a member of Bangor Community Chorus and chairman of the annual Multiple Sclerosis Drive. After relocating to Winslow in 1986, Tina became active in St. John’s Parish and taught French, music and religion at St. John’s School, as well as directing school plays. Later, in Waterville, she worked as an adult education instructor. Above all, Tina devoted countless hours volunteering and supporting her children’s activities whether it was the PTA, Scouting or simply sewing a costume. Motherhood was her highest calling. Tina was a proud Catholic and lived out her faith through her participation in the Right to Life movement, and active support and viewership of EWTN. Tina and Joe enjoyed many well-deserved trips in their retirement, including Ireland and Hawaii. In 2006 Tina and Joe came home to Bangor and resided at Sunbury Village. After Joe’s death in 2007, Tina courageously lived on, and despite her declining health remained a positive and inspirational matriarch to her family.
In addition to her parents, Tina was predeceased by husband, Joe; infant daughter, Lisa Eileen; grandson, Eric Foss; brothers, Eugene and Gerald; and sisters, Inez David, Geraldine Dyer and infant sister, Ernestine. Surviving are her twin sisters, Vernita and husband, Hank Gajewski, of Dover, N.H., and Virginia and husband, Ken Veazie, of Corinna; sisters-in-law, Margaret Goulette of Guilford and Jackie Quinn of Florida; her six children, Connie Foss and husband, Glen, of Portland, Mike and wife, Rhonda, of Burlington, Ky., Robert and wife, Brenda, of Brewer, Brian and special friend, Kelly Downing, of Bangor, Anne Bean and husband, Jeff, of Dover, N.H., and Mary Jo Bernardo and husband, Rick, of Glenmont, N.Y.; 17 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, at Brookings-Smith, Brewer Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7, at St. Teresa’s Roman Catholic Church, St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 436 South Main St., Brewer. A reception will be held in the parish hall after the Mass. Spring interment will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Manchester. Those who wish to remember Tina in a special way may make gifts to Maine Veterans Home, 44 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.