Julie Ann (Bishop) Murphy

DANVERS – Mrs. Julie Ann (Bishop) Murphy, 65, of Danvers, beloved wife of the late Michael J. Murphy, died Monday, June 13th, 2022, at her home.

Born in Danvers, she was the daughter of the late Robert C. and Mary R. (Swinarski) Bishop. She was raised and educated in Topsfield and was a graduate of Masconomet Regional High School, Class of 1974.

Julie had an adventurous spirit and outgoing personality. In 1979, she moved with her husband Michael and their newborn son John to Washington State so Michael could pursue a new career opportunity. They settled in Olympia and built a log house with the help of two of her brothers, Bill & Jimmy. She often spoke of this period as the most enjoyable time of her life. After adding daughter Mari and son Ben to the family, they moved back to Massachusetts and built a house in Groveland, where she would reside for the next three decades. A devoted wife and mother, she cared for Michael when he took ill, and following his passing, she focused fully on raising her children. She carried the loss of Michael the rest of her life.

 In her free time, Julie enjoyed fishing, gardening, baking, and completing crossword puzzles. She was fond of “kicking back” and “bopping around,” and relished time spent walking along the seashore at the beach collecting sea glass, shells, and driftwood. She had an innate ability to connect with children throughout her life and considered their happiness to be of paramount importance – at the end of the day, maybe the laundry hadn’t been folded, but the kids were sure to have had a blast. Her life changed upon becoming a grandmother, and she lavished much love and attention on her grandchildren and grand doggies. “Grammy J” was the best grandmother and took great pleasure in doting on her beloved grandchildren: there was no time of day or night that candy was off-limits, and over the years her bedroom gradually transformed into a miniature Toys “R” Us. She will be deeply missed and remembered always.

Julie is survived by her children, John P. Murphy and his wife, Deborah of Haverhill, Marianne Buonopane and her husband, Samuel “Justin” of Danvers, and Benjamin Murphy of Methuen; her beloved grandchildren Isabella, Samuel, and Michael; her siblings Robert Bishop and his wife, Carole of Boxford, Ronald Bishop of Topsfield, William Bishop of Sequim, WA, James Bishop and his wife, Lisa of Kent, WA, Helen Honan of Winthrop, and Daniel Bishop of Topsfield; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was the sister of the late Claire Nyandoro, Carol Watson, and Charles Bishop.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to her funeral service which will be held at O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS, Thursday, June 23rd at 11 A.M. Visiting hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 A.M. Burial in Riverview Cemetery, Groveland. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Julie’s memory to St. John Episcopal Church, 222 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, MA 02152. https://www.stjohnsepiscopalwinthropma.org/ To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

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