Marguerite Longley Murphy

KENNEBUNK - Marguerite Longley Murphy died peacefully with her loving family at her side on Sunday, April 17th, in Kennebunk, Maine after a long illness. Born in Lewiston, Maine on June 5, 1927, Marge was a graduate of St. Patrick’s School, Lewiston High School Class (‘1944), and the Chamberlain School of Retailing (‘1948). Upon obtaining a degree in retailing, Marge was employed for the next 16 years as a buyer for Filene’s Department Store in Boston, and as a professor of retailing at The Chamberlain School where she ultimately became Director. In 1971, Marge earned a Master’s Degree in Education Counseling from Boston University’s School of Communications, and returned to Maine to replace her highly successful career in retailing with a career as a highly respected guidance counselor at Lewiston High School. Marge especially enjoyed working with students who were the first in their families to attend college. In 1974, Marge took a 4 year leave of absence from Lewiston High School to become the first woman in Maine to manage a gubernatorial campaign, which she did successfully on behalf of her brother, James B. Longley. Following his election in 1974, Marge served as chief of staff in the Longley administration before returning to work at Lewiston High School, where she eventually became head guidance counselor and an institution in her own right. Marge was honored by the last high school class she served by their dedication of their yearbook to her.

Marge retired to Siesta Key, Florida, where she resided for over 20 years; however, she remained a loyal fan of the Boston Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins and Patriots and rarely missed a telecast. Marge enjoyed spending summers at her camp at Sabattus Lake where she entertained her many nieces, nephews and godchildren. She had a strong Catholic faith and she was active in St. Patrick’s Parish in Lewiston, Holy Martyrs in Falmouth and St. Michael the Arc Angel in Sarasota Florida. Despite being part of a large, extended and geographically distributed family, Marge was famous for never missing a birthday, first communion, confirmation, wedding or baptism. She was also fond of funerals. Although not renowned as a cook, she was rightly proud of her molasses baked beans and pork, which figured prominently at all family gatherings.

Marge was predeceased by her parents Catherine Wade Longley and James B. Longley; brothers, Frank Longley and Gov. James Longley; her sisters, Mary Longley, Eileen Longley Bradbury and Constance Longley Roux, and nephews James Roux and Stephen Longley. Marge is survived by her 17 nieces and nephews. Greg Longley, John Longley, Martha Longley Owens, Michael Longley, Adam Longley, James Longley, Jr., Kathryn Longley-Leahy, Susan Longley, Nancy Longley Moore, William Bradbury, Scott Bradbury, Maureen Bradbury Goode, David Roux, Donna Roux Hart, Catherine Roux Papkee, Sally Roux Tartre and Mary Roux Train and by many grand and great grand nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Marge’s Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, April 22, 2016 at Holy Martyr’s Church, 266 Foreside Road, Falmouth, Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marge memory to A Place to Start Foundation,41 Main Street, Unit 2, Kennebunk, ME 04043, assisting families affected by Alzheimer's, or to the Lewiston High School Scholarship Fund, 156 East Avenue, Lewiston, ME 04240, providing financial aid for LHS students continuing their education.

Marge’s family would like to thank the staff at Huntington Commons and Bradford on the Common in Kennebunk for their love and care for Marge over the past few years. And a special thank you to Marge’s faithful and patient caregiver, Diana Dubea, and to VNA Hospice who kept Marge comfortable and at peace during her final days.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com