Westfield – Jeanne Somers (Kirby) Murphy, 86, passed away on September 20, 2017 after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Melrose, MA to the late James and Frances (Laskey) Kirby was a graduate of Durfee High School in Fall River and Bridgewater Teaching College in 1953 where she was Vice President of her class and a member of Kappa Delta Pi. She began her teaching career in Westchester, NY, and later in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. When she and her family moved to Western Mass in 1974, Jeanne began teaching at Blessed Sacrament in Holyoke, moving on to teach at Holyoke Catholic in 1981, and finally joined the Easthampton Public School district in 1986, where she was the Math Curriculum Chairperson. Jeanne periodically taught Math courses at the Elms College. Jeanne retired from full-time teaching in 1997, but never retired from helping children learn and grow. Jeanne tutored Algebra to many students, friends and family. She received numerous letters, cards and pictures from former students for years following her retirement thanking her for being part of their lives. Jeanne loved spending time with her grandchildren in the pool, at the beach, sitting on the floor playing games, cards, building forts and structures. She enjoyed water aerobics for many years with her friends at Healthtrax in West Springfield. She is known for her good wit, big heart, and an amazing ability to make everyone feel comfortable and welcomed. Sadly, Jeanne was predeceased by her beloved husband, Gerard P. Murphy in 1977, her two sons, Gerard P. Murphy, Jr. earlier this year, and Thomas W. Murphy in 1995, her brother James Kirby and sister Frances Colangelo. She is survived to cherish her memory her daughters, Maura J. Lessard (Missy Murphy) of Wilbraham and Kathleen M. Tremblay and her husband Todd of Westfield, six cherished grandchildren, Erica, Logan, Sloan, Mason, Jonathan and Abigail, 1 adored great granddaughter Ashtyn and another on the way. Jeanne’s funeral will be held on Saturday September 23 at 9 am from the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St. Westfield, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 am in Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church 127 Holyoke Rd. Westfield. Burial will private and at the convenience of her family. Visiting hours will be held on Friday September 22 from 4-7 PM in the funeral home. Donations in Jeanne’s name may be directed to the Northeast Education, Assessment & Research Institute (NEARI), nearischool.org. firtionadams.com
