Frances (Athenais) Murphy, 68, a lifelong resident of Dracut, Massachusetts, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. She was the beloved wife of Thomas J. Murphy, Jr., with whom she shared 47 years of marriage.
She was born in Lowell on June 19, 1954, and was the daughter of the late Stanley and Florence (Barjokas) Athenais.
Frances was raised in Dracut and was a graduate of Dracut High School with the Class of 1972. She worked as a paraprofessional in the Lowell School System and was a member of the United Teachers of Lowell. Later in life, she earned an Associate’s Degree from Middlesex Community College and her Bachelor’s Degree from Lesley University. At the Bartlett Middle School and later the Stoklosa Middle School, the teachers and students were a second family to her and she particularly enjoyed working with young people, many of whom were new arrivals to this country and the city.
Frances, a proud Greek-American, was a doting wife, mother, and grandmother (YiaYia), exceedingly generous, and an exceptional cook. In her spare time, she was an avid reader and loved spending time at the beach and near the ocean, including many summers spent in Rye, New Hampshire. Most of all, Frances enjoyed the time she spent with her family, including her grandson Elliott, who she adored.
In addition to her loving husband, Frances leaves her son Matthew T. Murphy and his wife Coleen A. Elstermeyer of Hingham, her grandson Elliott T.E. Murphy, and her sister Georgia Whelton of Tyngsborough. She will be deeply missed by many other close friends and family.
She is predeceased by her beloved nephew Nathaniel J. Whelton.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 2 – 5 pm in the Dracut Funeral Home, 2159 Lakeview Ave., Dracut. Her funeral service will be held in the funeral home following the visitation at 5:00 pm. Interment will be held privately. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America at
hdsa.org.