Jean Frances (Gerard) Murphy, 90, of Housatonic, died at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield on May 21, 2024. Jean was born at her family home in Housatonic on December 4, 1933, the daughter of Arthur and Helen (Barry) Gerard. She attended local elementary schools and was a 1951 graduate of the former Searles High School in Great Barrington.
In her younger years, Jean babysat and worked as a sales clerk for a Five & Ten in Great Barrington. After graduating High School, she enrolled in St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsfield. She completed her program in 1954 and began her career as a registered nurse. She was employed at St. Luke’s and Fairview Hospitals from 1954 to 1958. She paused her career to raise her family from 1958 to 1981 and then returned to nursing at Fairview Hospital until her retirement in 2004.
Jean was a communicant of Corpus Christi Church, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish. She was a member of the Rosary Sodality and the Parish Council and a committed volunteer for the Food and Clothing Bank. She was also involved in the Annual Parish Bazaar and enjoyed singing in the church choir. Jean remained an active member of the St. Luke’s Nurses Alumni Association, attending luncheons and reunions.
Jean enjoyed family gatherings, spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed attending their school activities and sporting events. Jean looked forward to “lunch and games” with longtime friends from St. Luke’s. Jean was an avid reader of The Berkshire Eagle and other local publications. She liked to keep up with the community news on the WSBS broadcasts.
Jean was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Daniel H. Murphy. They were married on November 22, 1956, at Corpus Christi Church, Housatonic. She is survived by one son, John Murphy of Stanley, N.C.; four daughters, Rosemary O’Brien and husband Timothy of Stockbridge, Patricia Hamilton and husband Bruce of Mansfield, Mass., Jean Isabelle and husband Michael of Rochester, Mass., and Kathleen Murphy and partner Hank of Pittsfield; and six grandchildren. She is survived by one brother, Joseph A Gerard of Pittsfield, and was predeceased by another brother, James W. Gerard.
A Funeral Mass with a Liturgy of Christian Burial for Jean F. Murphy will be held on Saturday, May 25, at 10 a.m., at Corpus Christi Church, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Housatonic, with Reverend William P. Murphy officiating. Burial will follow in Saint Bridget’s Cemetery in Housatonic. Family will receive friends on Saturday, May 25, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., at the Birches-Roy Funeral Home, 33 South Street, Great Barrington. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Jean’s memory may be made to the Corpus Christi Church, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish Maintenance Fund, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be made through the funeral home’s website.
