Helen M. (McRae) Murphy, a resident of Wakefield for 16 years, formerly a resident of Winthrop for 62 years, died at her home on May 8, 2016. She was 87 years of age. Helen was born in Boston, Massachusetts on April 30, 1929 the daughter of the late George W. and Margaret (Brennan) McRae.

Helen grew up in East Boston and was a graduate of East Boston High School. She was a longtime member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Winthrop. She volunteered for many years for the Red Cross Blood drives. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed helping her daughter, Patricia, work in her flower shop. Her family was first and foremost in her life.

She was the beloved wife of the late James A. Murphy. Devoted mother of Kathleen M. Herzig and her husband A. Thomas of Ireland, Maggie Murphy of Murphys, CA, Patricia Ann Murphy and her husband Wes Beckett of Wakefield, James A. Murphy, Jr. of San Jose, CA, and George B. Murphy of Stoneham. Cherished sister of Margaret Pridemore and her late husband Albert of Springfield, MO, Maureen Demers and her husband Joseph of Revere and the late George W. McRae, Jr. Loving grandmother of Craig, Jillian, Curtis, Shaunna, Maura and Katie Murphy and loving great grandmother of Charlie Max. She also leaves her childhood and best friend Elizabeth Kenney of W. Roxbury.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 13, at 10:00am at St. John the Evangelist Church 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop. Burial will follow in Winthrop Cemetery, Winthrop. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 4:00-8:00pm at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (Corner of Woburn St.) Reading.

Those who wish may make contributions in Helen's memory to the Alzheimer's Assoc. MA/NH Chapter 480 Pleasant St. Watertown, MA 02472. For directions and on line guest book visit johnbdouglassfuneralhome.com