Frances Mae (Stimson) Murphy

GARDNER- Frances "Fran" Mae (Stimson) Murphy, 77, of Gardner, formerly of Athol, died Thursday, April 16, in Wachusett Manor, after an illness. She was born October 25, 1936, in Athol, daughter of the late Donald and Beatrice (Wing) Stimson. She grew up in Royalston and graduated from Athol High School in 1956. In addition to being a homemaker, she worked at Wachusett Manor, Gardner Manor, Nichols and Stone, and the Old Mill. Mrs. Murphy loved spending time with her family and her boyfriend, Ken, music, dancing, playing piano, gardening, and bingo. She loved people and was a true conversationalist. She especially enjoyed spending Sundays at her daughter's house when she was well. She leaves her significant other, Ken Jimson; her son, Glenn Murphy and his wife, Christine of Gardner; four daughters, Elizabeth Gary and her husband, Steve of Greenfield, Brenda Norton and her husband, Todd of Gardner, Lianne Valliere, wife of the late Mark Valliere, of Templeton, and Sharon Murphy and her fiancé, Donald Hutchins of Gardner; ten grandchildren, Tina Gary, Naomi Gary, Lucas Gary, Jacob Gary, Sarah Murphy, Sean Murphy, Melissa Murphy, Daniel Murphy, Joshua Hutchins and Jonathan Hutchins; Many great grandchildren; one brother, Wayne Stimson and his wife, Laurie of Freeport, NH; one sister, Judith Durkee and her companion, Marty Stone of Templeton; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her granddaughter, Tonia Gary, and her brother, Earl Stimson. Mrs. Murphy's family would like to thank the staff at Wachusett Manor, Beacon Hospice, and Gardner Adult Day Health for the exceptional care given to her. The funeral will be held Tuesday, April 21, at 11:30 A.M. in Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Rd. Orange. Burial will take place at a later date in Lawrence Brook Cemetery in Royalston. A calling hour will precede the funeral Tuesday, April 21, from 10:30 to 11:30 A.M. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wachusett Manor Activity Fund, 32 Hospital Hill Rd., Gardner, MA 01440. $(document).ready(function(){ });