Jean Murphy a loving mother, sister, grandmother, and dedicated educator passed away April 2, 2016. She was 72 years old. Jean was born in Newton the daughter of the late Francis and Katherine (Ryan) Monahan. She spent her formative years living in both Framingham and Manchester NH. After graduating from Mount St. Mary's College Jean embarked on a career in education that would span her entire life. She took a brief break from teaching to start a family. Her son Ed was born in 1970 and shortly after that they settled in Burlington MA. Daughter Laura arrived in March of 1973. The following years were filled with days at ice rinks, gyms, fields and generally doing anything her kids needed. When it came to her kids Jean had a blind loyalty and supported them with every decision they made. She also instilled in them a strong sense of ethics and morality and ultimately that was what was most important to her.

As the kids got older Jean was able to get back to doing what she loved. She took a job as a Tutor at Burlington High School. This still allowed her to have time for her kids but also allowed her to get back to doing what she loved and that was working with kids. Then came an opportunity that she couldn't pass up. Along with her great friend Shahrayne Litchfield, Jean developed the City Roots Program which was part of the Jackson Mann Community School in Brighton MA. It was a program that helped kids who were down and out earn a GED and get back on their feet. Jean threw herself into this and really made a difference in hundreds of kids lives. Even going so far to help when some of these kids didn't have a place to stay she opened her home up to them for as long as they needed. Also during this time Jean went back to school herself, and received her Masters Degree from U-Mass Boston. She then went on to be the principal at St Mary's in Lawrence, St Raphaels in Medford, and the Immaculate Conception School in Lowell. She made lifetime friends everywhere she worked and was extremely proud of everything her students accomplished.

In her retirement Jean still enjoyed working with kids. Each week she tutored Cody and it was the highlight of her week. She looked forward to it and was so happy of his accomplishments. She also loved to spend time reading, going to Foxwoods, and following all the Boston sports teams.

However her favorite thing to do in retirement was follow what her grand kids were doing. She loved Erin, Sam, and Ryan very much and would talk to anyone she could about them. As she was with her own kids in her eyes the three of them could do no wrong and she adored them.

Jean was the proud mother of Edward Murphy and his wife Meaghan of Windham, NH, Laura Luther and her husband Chris of Killingworth, CT. Devoted sister of Christine Monahan of Dedham MA, the late Francis Monahan of Concord NH, and Louise Mahoney of Nashua NH. Proud grandmother of Erin Murphy, Sam Luther, and Ryan Luther. Also survived by many nieces and nephews and great friends.

Funeral From The Douglass Funeral Home 51 Worthen Rd. Lexington Thursday April 7, at 9:00AM followed by a Mass Of Christian Burial at St. Margaret's Church Winn St. Burlington at 10:00Am. Relatives and friends kindly invited to attend. Vistiting hours at the Funeral home on Wednesday from 4-8 PM. In Lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to The Immaculate Conception School 218 East Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery West Roxbury