Sperry & McHoul Funeral Home Obituaries

Florence Murray, 100, on July 25, 2022

CUMBERLAND - Florence L. Murray, 100, of Cumberland, RI, passed away July 25, 2022 at St. Elizabeth Home in East Greenwich, RI.  Born March 15, 1922 in Providence, RI, she was the daughter of the late Thomas P. Doherty and the late Catherine Keough Doherty.  A 1940 graduate of Central High School in Providence, RI, she married the late John J. Murray, Jr. on September 7, 1946.   They made their home in North Attleboro and spent 36 wonderful years of marriage together until John’s passing in June 1983. 

Florence graduated from the former Felt & Tarrent Business School in downtown Providence.  She made good use of her mathematical and comptometer skills at their business, Manville Machine Works. Later on, her accounting talents and love of gardening led her to serve as treasurer of Angle Tree Garden Club from 1998 to 2014. 

Florence attended St. John Vianney Church in Cumberland, RI and was a previous parishioner of St. Mary and St. Mark Churches in North Attleboro.   She was passionate about staying active and particularly enjoyed starting her day with a brisk walk.  Florence loved holiday gatherings with her family, especially Thanksgiving, which she hosted each year for most of her adult life.  A lifelong proponent of education, Florence supported University of Rhode Island Foundation through membership in the Oliver Watson Society. 

Florence is survived by her children, John J. (Jack) Murray, III, of North Attleboro and Barbara L. Barr (Philip), of Newbury, NH; her grandchildren, Philip B. Barr III (Kara), of Concord, MA, Katherine A. Taylor (Alan) of Raleigh, NC, and Christopher J. Barr (Laura) of Los Angeles, CA; and two great-granddaughters.  She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, July 31 from 5-7 p.m. at Sperry & McHoul Funeral Home, 15 Grove Street, North Attleboro.  A funeral will be held from the funeral home on Monday, August 1 at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass at St. Mary’s Church of Transfiguration of the Lord Parish, 14 Park Street North Attleboro with burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Attleboro Falls.

Memorial contributions may be made to URI Foundation, P.O. Box 1700, Kingston, RI 02881, or online at uri.edu/giving