Patricia O’Donnell Murphy

NEEDHAM, Mass. – Patricia O’Donnell Murphy, 83, formerly of Portland passed away gently on Oct. 20, 2025 after an unexpected illness. Patricia was born in Portland, the daughter of William O’Donnell and Gertrude Quinn and attended Deering High School and Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, where she studied to be an educator and later furthered her teacher training at Boston College. A skilled and committed special education teacher, Pat worked for two decades in the Newton, Mass., Public Schools where she compassionately supported both students and their parents as they navigated life within the context of a learning disability.

Pat loved participating in all types of activities, especially golf and tennis, and was an avid walker, seeking out shoreline routes to enjoy in Florida, Maine, and on Cape Cod.

Pat was predeceased by James R. Murphy; and her sister, Nancy Tanguay. She is survived by her sisters, Marcia McKay and Dierdre O’Donnell; her daughter, Jessica Greene (Matthew, Needham, Mass.); and son, Daniel Murphy (Anastasia, Westfield, N.J.); and many nieces, nephews, and friends, particularly those whom she met during the later years of her life at North Hill Assisted Living. Her St. Joe’s friends were especially dear to her and with whom she shared many wonderful times. Pat was devoted to her grandchildren, Christopher, Sean, Danae, and Leandros to whom she showed great affection and were the light of her life. Pat will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

All are welcome to a Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate her life at 11 a.m., on Thursday, Nov. 6, at St. Maximilian Kolbe, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. To view Pat’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat’s memory to the scholarship funds at Saint Joseph’s College, https://www.sjcme.edu/about-us/giving/