Audrey H. Murphy, 93, of Gendron Lane, passed peacefully on March 1, 2021, as she was surrounded by her loving family.
The daughter of Kedric A. Harding and Francis A. (MacDonald) Harding was born on the family farm in Unity, Maine, on Nov. 11, 1927.
Audrey was married to the love of her life; Timothy (Ted) J. Murphy, III and with him raised three children: Shannon, Timothy and John. Audrey was predeceased by her daughter Shannon, husband Timothy and sister L. Elaine Therrian.
For the majority of her life, her sons and their families lived nearby. Timothy and Wendy Murphy of Kennebunkport and John and Jean Murphy of Kennebunk went on to raise their own families to grow and adore their grandparents. Audrey cherished her five grandchildren: Matthew, Shannon, Katharine, Sarah and Jaclin.
Audrey’s sisters, their husbands and children enjoyed close relations with her and Ted throughout their lives. She is survived by Alice and Paul LaBrecque of Falmouth and Patricia and Ray Turcotte of Lewiston.
Audrey was adored by her many friends and neighbors. Her Gendron Lane neighborhood was a wonderful place to raise a family and to form lasting friendships. In addition to her own grandchildren, she was considered by countless other extended family members as their “Gram” as well.
Audrey graduated second in her class from Lewiston High School and went on to graduate from Bliss College in Lewiston. Most noteworthy of her career accomplishments was her tenure at the Saco Branch of KeyBank; where she began as a teller and was later promoted to operations manager.
A great cook and baker, the grandchildren jumped for joy whenever Gram showed up with her large brown cookie tin filled chocolate crinkles, ginger snaps, lemon squares, and other family favorites. She was the life of the party and we shared her for holidays, family gatherings and vacations.
Audrey was proficient with the English language and was a constant resource for us all on the proper spelling and meaning of words; she loved her puzzles and was an avid reader.
Audrey was known by her sisters as the “Energizer Bunny” because she just kept going and going. Audrey often had to slow down so the rest of us could catch up. Her sisters said of her “she was the kindest person … she never had a bad word to say about anyone.”
We fondly remember beach walks and will continue to share laughs that just months ago, she could be seen power-walking downtown Kennebunk, planting flowers in her window boxes and mowing her own lawn. She was proudly independent and kept a beautiful home; and what a snazzy dresser!
Whereas we have all suffered a great loss, we feel blessed to have been a part of the fully-lived life of A.H. Murphy.
Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Lewiston. A celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2021 amongst family and friends.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Audrey’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
