Elizabeth L. (Marchand) Murphy, “Betty,” 96, died peacefully on Jan. 1, at Shady Oaks Assisted Living in Bristol. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 40 years, Gerald J. Murphy in 2020. Betty was born on Aug. 28, 1926, in Meriden, Conn., and was the oldest of three children of the late Eugene M. Marchand and Alice (Gerchefski) Marchand.
Raised in Bristol, she graduated from Bristol Central High School and attended Lasell Junior College in Newton, Mass. After working as a medical secretary, she worked for many years in the office at Bristol Hospital. She was a member of St. Gregory the Great Church, Bristol. She loved playing her piano. She was a wonderful cook so she and Gerry loved entertaining and spending time with their many dear friends. They enjoyed sailing trips to the Caribbean with friends and family and spending time on Martha’s Vineyard and winters at the Summerhouse in St. Augustine, Fla.
She is survived by two children: Dayle Wilder and husband, Donald of Ledyard, and Cynthia Turner and husband, Raymond of Waterford; three stepchildren: David Murphy and wife Patricia of Bristol, and twins Laura Gerritt and husband Keith of Williston, Vt. and Steven Murphy and wife, Cynthia of Georges Mills, N.H.; five grandchildren: Rick Wilder, Lori Shea, Lesley Turner, Dr. Raymond Turner, and Trisha Mickiewicz; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by husbands: Dell King, Jr. and Robert Adams, as well as her two siblings: Nancy Kingsley and Eugene Marchand.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Church, 235 Maltby St., Bristol. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol. Relatives and friends are invited to call at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol. prior to the Mass on Saturday between 9 and 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. We would like to thank Tyson Belanger, the wonderful nurses, and all the caregivers of Shady Oaks for going above and beyond with warm care for both Gerry and Betty.
Please visit Elizabeth’s memorial website at www.FunkFuneralHome.com.
All TBE readers, supporters and donors
The Bristol Edition will be limiting the number of stories non-members and free readers may access each week. This decision is based on our financial projections and, most certainly, to remind people that TBE is serious about providing accurate, timely and thorough reporting for Bristol. To do this we have devised a financial support structure that makes unlimited access extremely affordable, beginning with a $6 monthly donation.
- Non-members will be able to access eight (8) articles per week.
- Free readers and people who have subscribed by email will be able to access eight (8) articles per week.
- Donors and financial supporters will have unlimited access as long as they log in.
Note: Donors may have to contact TBE if they find they are being limited, since we will need to set up a membership account for you. Email editor@bristoledition.org for instructions. Sorry for any inconvenience. People with financial difficulties may write editor@bristoledition.org to be considered for free access.