Lorena Viola (Ward) Murphy, 97, passed into eternal rest on May 31, 2017 at Greenville Center. She was the beloved wife of the late Walter F. Murphy.

Born January 31,1920 in Providence, the daughter of the late P. Richard  Ward and Viola T. (McCallum) Ward., she was a resident of North Providence, for most of her life.  Mrs. Murphy taught school for the North Providence District at Centredale Elementary for over 30 years. She also was a member of the North Providence Teachers’ Union, Local 920, serving as a building delegate for many years,

Mrs. Murphy was a 1938 graduate of  St. Xavier Academy and a 1942 graduate of Rhode College of Education. She was a member of the RI Department of Education Board of Regents and a cooperating teacher for RIC and URI.

For the 1976 Democratic National Convention and 1974 Mid-Term Convention she was a delegate. She was also a member of the RI Democratic State Committee.

She was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.

Mrs. Murphy is survived by her daughter Lynne (Murphy) Hickey of Smithfield, her son Richard M. Murphy of North Providence, cousins Dennis and Rita McCallum of Glocester, Debby and Bill Brody of Cumberland, Bobby and Marie McKenna of Warwick.

She was additionally survived by her teaching partner and friend Jane Skeffington.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at St Philips Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Smithfield Monday at 11am with burial in Acote Hills Cemetery, Chepachet.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Meals on Wheels of RI, 70 Bath Street, Providence, RI 02908.

Click Here To View Condolence Messages

J F Skeffington Funeral Home
925 Chalkstone Avenue
Providence, RI 02908
401-331-3900