Obituary of Sr. Mary Bernadette Murphy

Sister Mary Bernadette Murphy, SC

Sister Mary Bernadette Murphy (94), a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died April 10, 2025, at Complete Care at Saint Vincent’s, Cedar Grove, New Jersey.

Sister Mary Bernadette was born in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of Mary Agnes (Connors) and Joseph V. Murphy. She entered the Sisters of Charity on March 24, 1948, and was a member for 77 years.

Sister Mary Bernadette graduated from the College (University) of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, New Jersey with a B. S. degree in Elementary Education. She also received certification as a Teacher-Librarian from Saint Elizabeth’s. Sister Mary Bernadette was dedicated to the education of children.  She served in the ministry of education in New Jersey for about 60 years. She was a teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes School, West Orange, Saint Francis School, Ridgefield Park, Saint Aloysius School, Newark, and St. John School, Orange. Sister Mary Bernadette retired from full-time classroom teaching at St. John in 2010. At this time, she served as teaching assistant to Sister Patricia Bray, her dear friend. Sister Mary Bernadette served 26 years at Saint Aloysius and 25 years at Saint John.

When Saint John School closed in 2012, Sister Mary Bernadette moved to the Convent of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station. She then began her volunteer ministry at Saint Anne Villa, providing loving, compassionate service to infirm Sisters of Charity. Due to declining health, Sister Mary Bernadette moved to Complete Care at Saint Vincent’s in June 2024, where she resided until her death.

Sister Mary Bernadette loved her large, extended family dearly, and she loved her students as well. She was gentle, kind, and compassionate; she was generous to all in need. She was a good listener and enjoyed sharing fond memories and laughter with family and friends.

Sister Mary Bernadette was predeceased by her parents, her sisters Dorothy Soley and Rita Feeney, her brother Father Joseph Murphy, her sister-in-law, Marie Murphy, her brothers-in-law, Joseph Valvano, Jack Soley and Thomas Feeney. She is survived by her Sister of Charity community, her sisters Kathleen Murphy, Eleanor Valvano, and Joan Davie, her brother John Murphy and her brother-in-law, William Davie. She is also survived by many devoted nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews and a great grandniece and great grandnephew.

The wake for Sister Mary Bernadette Murphy will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM in Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, New Jersey. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM and will be livestreamed. Burial in Holy Family Cemetery, Convent Station will immediately follow the mass. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of S. J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Sister Mary Bernadette Murphy to the Sisters of Charity Office of Legacy and Mission Advancement, P O Box 476, Convent Station, NJ, 07961, would be appreciated. 

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