Caroline S. Murphy

Mrs. Caroline Carol Bliss (Southworth) Murphy, born on December 5, 1924 in Springfield, MA, to the late Harriet (Kirkham) and Constant Southworth, passed away at age 93 on July 4, 2018. She graduated from Classical High School in 1942 and Wellesley College in 1946. She was an Elementary School Teacher at the Lincoln School, Springfield from 1946-1950. Caroline was married to the late Atty. Robert E. Murphy. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Grace Grinberg-Funes (George); brother, John Southworth; and sister, Barbara Webb. Caroline is survived by her daughters, Anne Acton (Arch Acton), Catherine Pappas (Peter Pappas), Constance Craig (David Craig) and Hope Murphy (Bradford Christo); Sister, Elizabeth O’Neill; and grandchildren, Charles Acton, Meredith Acton, Hallie (Acton) Yohe, John Pappas, James Pappas, Sarah Craig, Davis Craig, and Walker Christo. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Ann Southworth, Barbara Murphy and Julia Murphy. Caroline loved gardening, singing, spending summers in Blandford, MA, traveling with her husband Bob, and especially gathering to cook and share her eternal optimism and love of life with family and friends. Her sheer love of people stimulated a passionate life-long commitment to community service as a deacon at South Congregational Church; as a board member of Open Pantry Community Services, Springfield Day Nursery (now Square One), and Community Music School; past chair of Current Events and South Church Cooks; a member of the Springfield Historical Commission, Springfield School Volunteers’ Read Aloud Program, and Junior League of Greater Springfield; a past president of the Children’s Study Home, Chestnut Knoll, Friends of the Springfield Library (co-founding member), Mattoon Street Historical Preservation Association, and Service Providers, Inc.; and the secretary of Atalanta Club. Calling hours for Caroline will be held on Sunday, July 8, 2018 from 2:00-5:00pm at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 N. Main St., East Longmeadow. A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, July 9th at the South Congregational Church, 45 Maple St., Springfield, MA. A private burial will be held at the convenience of her family. Caroline touched many in her life; please help this legacy endure. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Caroline’s name to South Congregational Church, Friends of the Springfield Library, or a charity of your choice.