Donna (Thibedeau) Murphy

Donna Teresa Murphy (née Thibedeau) passed away peacefully on May 29, 2026. She was born on September 20, 1944, to Ruby and Herman Thibedeau. Donna was a proud graduate of Arlington High School and Northeastern University. She was the devoted wife of the late Paul John Murphy, with whom she shared 60 years of marriage and raised three children in Malden, where Donna became highly active in Malden participating in the Golden Tornado Club, Malden Youth Hockey, Malden Recreation and was a pollster for many years.  After a long career at First Realty Management, Donna and Paul retired to Florida, where they enjoyed time with friends in Punta Gorda. She later returned to Massachusetts to be closer to her son Paul and lived with the loving care of her daughter Charlene and son-in-law John in their home in Tewksbury.

Donna was the loving mother of Paul T. Murphy and his wife, Jeanne, of Melrose, and Charlene Schiavo and her husband, John, of Tewksbury. She was predeceased by her youngest daughter, Lynn Marie Finn, wife of Chris Finn of Lynnfield. She was the cherished Grammie/Mimi of Brittany Lynn Hazelton and her fiancé, Jimmy Donlan, of Stoneham; Kevin R. Hazelton and his wife, Megan, of Billerica; Mackenzie L. Murphy and her fiancé Evan Camilleri of Melrose, Courtney J. Murphy and her boyfriend Cameron Hickey of Melrose, Alexis J. Finn and Christopher Finn, both of Lynnfield. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Giovanny and Sophia Hazelton.

She was the beloved sister and dear friend of Mary Reid and her husband, David, of Wakefield, New Hampshire. She was also predeceased by her sisters, Joyce Wentworth and Ruth McGrew. Donna was a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Donna was social, generous, and deeply charitable. She belonged to many clubs and organizations and proudly participated in and raised funds for numerous Avon / Susan G. Komen cancer walks.

Donna will be remembered for her love, grace, and passion.

The family would like to give special thanks to her caretaker, Stephanie Freni, the staff at Chelmsford Senior Center Dementia Program and to the Care Dimensions Hospice team for their exceptional care and compassion.

A memorial service will be held at the Weir – MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral Home, 144 Salem St, Malden on Thursday, June 11, at 4 PM, with visitation beginning at 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you kindly consider making a dontation to the Alzheimers . Association, 309 Waverley Oaks RdWaltham, MA 02452 

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