Leonora Murphy

Newport, RI - Leonora N Murphy, 78, of 1 Greenlaw Boulevard, Newport, RI, died Sunday, July 17, 2011 at The Grand Islander Health Care Center, Middletown, RI surrounded by her loving family. Born in Newport, RI on February 19, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Joseph L. and Mary Medeiros Nunes.Leonora was a 1950 graduate of St. Catherine Academy and a 1954 graduate of Mount Saint Mary College of New Hampshire, receiving a BA in Education. She earned her Masters degree from URI. Leonora was a teacher for 38 years in the Middletown School System. She was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma IOTA Chapter, the Middletown Retired Educators Association, and Newport County Retired Teachers. She was a past Vice President of NEA Middletown, serving as a delegate to the NEA RI and National Assemblies. Leonora was a member of the Viking Bridge Club and was a regional master working to become a life master of bridge. She loved playing bingo. When her children were younger she was very active in the National Little League and Newport Babe Ruth Leagues. Leonora was a communicant of Jesus Savior Church. She is survived by her children, Terence M. Murphy, Jr. and his wife Donna Botelho Murphy of Middletown, RI, Brian L. Murphy and his wife Anne Bowen Murphy of Wakefield, RI, Margaret M. Murphy of Tiverton, RI, and Katheryn E. Gilligan and her husband John P. Gilligan III of Santa Barbara, CA, Elizabeth A. Amoros of Middletown, RI, her sister Elaine Lewis of Middletown, RI, and her grandchildren, Lt. Patrick J. Murphy, USN, of San Diego, CA, Terence M. Murphy III of Newport, RI, Daniel E. Murphy of Middletown, RI, Kristen M. Amoros of Newport, RI, Eric A. Amoros and Sarah E. Amoros both of Middletown, RI, and Jack P. Gilligan and Matthew R. Gilligan of Santa Barbara, CA. and 36 nieces and nephews.She was the mother of the late Patrick Joseph Murphy, the sister of the late Joseph L. Nunes, John F. Nunes and Mary K. Baker. She was the former wife of the late Terence M. Murphy.Calling hours will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2011 from 4-7pm, in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.Her funeral will be held on Friday, July 22, 2011, at 9:00 am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Jesus Savior Church, Broadway and Vernon Avenue, Newport.Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown.In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Middletown Retired Educators Association Scholarship Fund, 781 Bristol Ferry Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.