Obituary of Frances Maureen Dunphy

DUNPHY, Frances Maureen Feb 9,1924- March1, 2014 (B.A., UNB’58) Peacefully at Turnbull Home, her residence of the past seven years, after a long illness patiently borne. Predeceased on Christmas Day 2013 by her sister, Margaret. Predeceased also by her parents Clarence and Beatrice Dunphy and sister, Constance ( Hugh McDonald). Miss Dunphy, “The Teacher”, began her career in Campbellton, then taught in her own childhood school, Saint Dunstan’s, in Fredericton. She thereafter moved to Saint John and taught at Simonds Regional High School and St. Rose Elementary School. She passed her love of reading on to her students and insisted on proper language, grammar and manners in the classroom as she believed she was preparing each and every student for life as a committed and useful citizen. Maureen served as CWL president at St. Peter’s Parish, Saint John and upon her retirement generously gave her time and talents to serving her community and church at Romero House, the Catholic Bookstore and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Maureen lived for 22 years at the Admiral Beatty and enjoyed her uptown proximity to the lovely gardens in King Square and the daily conviviality of the City Market. She was an avid walker, a keen hockey fan, a feisty debater on any and all topics, and a lover of classical music. She was well and widely read and enjoyed travel (to Ireland and the Holy Land in particular). Maureen was a devoted daughter, niece, sister and aunt. She was always lovingly interested in her McDonald nieces and nephews in Montreal: Maureen ( Dan), Gordon ( Anne), Jeanie (Joe), Rob (Leslie-Anne) and Katherine (Lionel). She visited often and particularly enjoyed her attendance at family weddings. Christmas boxes to the McDonald clan were always full of her lovely hand-knitting and molasses cookies, carefully chosen books, as well as Saint John City Market treasures. She always tucked in some dulse so that the boxes when opened would smell of the sea. In addition Maureen is survived by 16 grand-nieces and nephews in Ontario as well as her cousins Peter ( Marian) and Michael Dunphy of Saint John and Eileen and Brenda of Ontario. The family is most grateful to all those who extended kindness and care to Maureen and her sister Margaret during their later years at the Beatty and the Turnbull Home. Maureen’s last years would have been much less comfortable and serene without such support from their many friends and caregivers. Thank you, one and all. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 12:10 pm at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. There will be no visitation but the family will receive condolences prior to the funeral Mass. Interment will take place at a later date. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Fitzpatrick’s Funeral Home, 100 Waterloo Street, Saint John, (634-1965). A reception will be held following the funeral at Fitzpatrick’s Funeral Home. The family would enjoy receiving Maureen’s friends, colleagues and former students.