Geraldine Rita Murphy

Walpole has lost another great one.

Lifelong resident Geraldine “Gerry” Rita (Slattery) Murphy, age 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at her home in Walpole, Massachusetts, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts, on July 22, 1930, she was the daughter of the late William J. and Christie A. (Tanner) Slattery.

Gerry was raised on Stone Street in Walpole, where she proudly graduated from Walpole High School at the age of sixteen with the Class of 1947. Following her graduation, Gerry served as choir director at Blessed Sacrament Church for a short time before being hired as the telephone operator at Walpole Cooperative Bank. In addition to working, Gerry attended night school at Chamberlain Junior College in Boston and even entered the Miss Photogenic of Massachusetts competition, where she came in second place.

Gerry married her high school sweetheart, John D. "Jake" Murphy, another lifelong Walpole resident, on October 10, 1953, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Walpole.

The couple remained in Walpole their entire lives. Both worked tirelessly to build a legacy that endured and later provided them with multiple opportunities to give back to the town they loved so deeply. Gerry was offered a position at Walpole Town Hall, first in the Tax Collector's Office and later in the Assessor's Office. After welcoming her children, Gerry left her career to take on the role of homemaker, raising and caring for her young family.

Summers led the Murphy family to Cape Cod, where they spent July and August at their home in Pocasset, with Jake joining them on the weekends. As her children grew up, Gerry returned to her career, working as a hostess at the Mug and Muffin in Dedham.

Throughout her life, Gerry loved to travel, visiting countless destinations throughout Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, and the United States. Her favorite trips with cherished friends included Switzerland, as well as Greece, Italy, and Ireland. Her multiple trips to Canada always centered around Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, where she loved tracing her mother's family roots and spending time with her extended family.

While summers were spent on the Cape, Gerry and Jake wintered in sunny Naples, Florida. No matter where she was—Walpole, Cape Cod, or Florida—Gerry loved to entertain. Her signature event was the Fourth of July party in Pocasset, working for days to cook, clean, and prepare for the big day that was not to be missed.

Gerry also enjoyed the arts, faithfully attending summer performances at Highfield Theatre in Falmouth and listening to her favorite hits from Tommy Dorsey and Paul Todd. As much as she loved theatre, Gerry equally enjoyed watching her favorite movies at home, including "The Sound of Music," laughing at Robin Williams in "Mrs. Doubtfire," or delighting in the romance of "Holiday in the Wild." Of course, if any Boston sports team was playing, the movies went out the window, and Gerry would cheer on the Patriots, Bruins, and Red Sox.

Gerry was also a ceramic arts enthusiast and accomplished painter, creating true works of art that she proudly displayed throughout her beautiful homes.

As an only child, Gerry was most proud of the relationships she cultivated throughout her life—from her grade school classmates to her family of caretakers, who helped fulfill her wish of living her remaining years at home. She was a "giver" who shared her caring spirit and invested in the growth of every relationship. She was happiest when in the company of others.

She was the hidden and quiet force behind all the accomplishments of her family, taking pride in the most subtle and unassuming way. Gerry was instrumental in supporting Jake's formation of Walpole's Friends of Saint Patrick charity and enthusiastically participated each year.

Never one to argue or raise her voice, Gerry persuaded through the art of silent grace and eloquence in all that she experienced and achieved. We will all remember her as one classy lady.

Most of all, Gerry lived for and enthusiastically loved her family. She relished in the good fortune of having her four children close by in Walpole and was most content in the role of "Grandy" to her grandchildren, always engaging in each of their lives and activities. Gerry was later blessed with seven great-grandchildren, eager to hold each of them in her lap for their official "welcome."

Beloved wife of 57 years to the late John D. "Jake" Murphy.

Loving mother of Susanne Murphy and her husband, Brian Fiske, of Falmouth; John Murphy, Jr. and his wife, Marianne; Donnell Murphy and his wife, Stacy; and Douglas Murphy and his wife, Beth, all of Walpole.

Cherished grandmother of Gavin Fiske and his wife, Amina; Tanner Fiske and his wife, Hanna; Shannon Harriman and her husband, Matthew; Jake Murphy and his wife, Chelsea; Kerianne Cresci and her husband, Tom; Meghan Mussafer and her husband, Michael; along with Saylor, Emery, Grady, Luke, and Kevin Murphy. Great-grandmother of seven.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Gerry's visitation on Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 2:00–5:00 p.m. at the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole, on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Gerry's name may be made to The Friends of Saint Patrick, c/o J.D. Murphy, 7 West Street, Walpole, MA 02081, or by visiting The Friends of Saint Patrick.