Mary Jane Murphy, 86, died May 18. She was born in Wellington, Kansas, and was the daughter of the late Hubert A. and Grace Smith Richards.

Four daughters, Lynda G. Lindbloom of Newtown, Susan Jean Kirmil of Portsmouth, R.I. and formerly of Newtown, Mary Lynn Boyce of Moosup, and Wendy Burkett of New Milford; one son, Richards M. Boyce of Mexico, Mo.; ten grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews survive Mrs Murphy. Her parents and her sister, Nancy Scott predeceased her. On October 26, 1975, she married Richard Joseph Murphy. Mr. Murphy died on November 12, 1990.

Mrs Murphy was a business education teacher at Brewster High School, New York, for 20 years, and later an instructor at the Simmons School. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and a past president of the Alpha Omicron Chapter. She served one term as president of the Putnam Chapter of the New York State Retired Teachers Association.

Mrs Murphy was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Dover Chapter #576, New York Union of Retired Teachers. She also volunteered for the Auxiliary of Sharon Hospital, and was a member of the Dover Plains Methodist Church.

At the time of her death, she was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Newtown. A memorial service will be held there for August 8, at noon. Her ashes will be interred in the mausoleum of Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, alongside her loving husband, Richard, in a private ceremony; immediate family only.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of Glen Hill/Harborside Health Care Center, Danbury, for their long-term care and concern provided to their mother.

 In lieu of flowers, Mrs Murphy wished that memorial donations be made to American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 16 Sawmill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or to the Delta Kappa Gamma Alpha Omicron Chapter Scholarship Fund.