Frances E. “Fran” Murphy

Mrs Frances E. (Vitello) Murphy, of South Weymouth and formerly of Jamaica Plain and Quincy, passed away peacefully surrounded by her entire family on March 23, 2023 from complications with pneumonia.

Fran was the daughter of the late Angelo and Ethel (Dalton) Vitello of Norwell, formerly of Jamaica Plain and is survived by her beloved husband of 43 years, John M. Murphy of South Weymouth, formerly of Canton; her daughter Teresa M. (Roche) McClelland and James of Greenfield; her son, John C. Roche and Susan of Plymouth; and Steven M. Murphy Roche and Susan of South Weymouth. 

Fran -aka- Nannie leaves her adored grandchildren, Andrew, Philip, Nathanael, and Johannah McClelland, Jared Roche, and Jenna Thibodeau. She also leaves her great-grandchildren, Lizzie, Kate, and Abigail McClelland of St. Charles, Missouri; and Conor and Saoirse McClelland of Deerfield, IL. She is survived by her sister, Dorothy (Vitello) Malcolm of Ipswich, formerly of Salem and Jamaica Plain; and her sister-in-law, Margaret (Kenny) Vitello of South Weymouth; including numerous nieces and nephews who loved her greatly, and she in return. She was the sister of her late brother, Deacon Joseph Vitello of South Weymouth. 

Fran was treasured by so many friends who will miss her greatly.

A devout Christian, Fran was always involved in her church and generous with her support and tithes to local and international causes. Her family was her life and were always first. She is the author of the  book, “I Can’t Help It … I’m Italian” where she documents her family’s history from the sulfur mines of Sicily and industrialized Manchester, England to Boston. Her Italian heritage especially was strongest for her and was well established as a fine cook for so many of her friends and relatives. 

Despite age and health, she was an unfailing mother figure to her entire family, preparing and cooking the best Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinners for as many as 20 loved ones.

Visiting hours are , from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28 at the McDonald-Keohane Funeral Home, 809 Main St., South Weymouth.  A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. at Community Baptist Church, 17 Mutton Lane, East Weymouth; followed by interment at Lakeview Cemetery, Pond St., South Weymouth.

A Reception will follow in the community room, downstairs at Community Baptist Church, Mutton Lane, E. Weymouth 

In lieu of flowers, donations made sacred to Fran’s memory may be sent to Samaritan’s Purse (samaritanspurse.org) and The Christian Appalachian Project (donate.Christian app.org) is greatly appreciated.