Lisa J. Murphy

Lisa Joan Murphy, a cherished presence in the Swansea community, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Sunday, July 21st, leaving behind a legacy defined by her dedication to education, love of music, and profound care for her family.

Lisa was born to the late Alfred Costa and Deolinda (Fonseca) Costa. She is survived by her husband, Shawn J. Murphy, and their three children: Kirk J. Murphy and his wife Erin; Jack J. Murphy and his wife Megan; Faith J. Murphy; and the family dog, Duffy. Lisa was proudly known as “Grammie” to Callan Murphy, Kirk and Erin’s son. She is reunited in peace with her sister, Heidi Guertin. Lisa is also survived by her many nieces and nephews.

Lisa discovered her talent and love for the accordion at a young age. She achieved state and national acclaim as a member of the renowned Arruda Accordion Orchestra based in Warren, RI. Her children always loved when family get-togethers would end with Lisa playing the “Anniversary Waltz” on the accordion. She would later share this love of music with her preschool students through her self-taught piano talents, often writing original songs for the children to sing.

Lisa met the love of her life, Shawn, at Southeastern Massachusetts University in Dartmouth in 1983. Their love story began at the school’s Spring Ball, and the two married in April of 1987 at St. Michael’s Church in Swansea. Shawn and Lisa’s marriage was defined by laughter and love, filled with trips to Bristol, walks on the beach, and family board game nights.

After graduating college with High Honors and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing, Lisa embarked on a diverse career journey. She spent a decade in banking, notably as a consumer loan and student loan officer at the former Lafayette Federal Savings Bank and Bank of Boston. Upon the birth of her children, Lisa prioritized her role as a stay-at-home mother. This period, which she cherished deeply, spanned twelve years and was filled with many memories of summer vacations and cheering on her kids from the bleachers.

In 2005, Lisa pursued her passion for early childhood education, obtaining certifications as a preschool teacher and director. She became an integral part of Christ Church Day School in Swansea, where she taught and served as Director until its closure in 2014. Lisa then founded Perfect Start Preschool in Swansea, which she operated until her retirement in 2023.

Her dedication to her students’ well-being extended beyond academics, embodying her philosophy of teaching: "I'm a mom first!" This mantra guided her interactions with her students, providing them with kindness, guidance, and the same care she showed her own children. Her commitment to nurturing young minds and fostering a love of learning touched countless children and families throughout the greater Swansea area. Trips to Stop and Shop or town events would often take twice as long as expected since she would frequently see former students and their parents. Lisa loved these moments, as they gave her a chance to catch up and see how her students were doing.

Lisa also volunteered extensively for over a decade at Holy Name School in Fall River, actively supporting the education of her three children. This included going in every fall to read “The Halloween Pumpkin” and every Christmas to make reindeer food. Lisa was the first female coach of the Catholic Youth Futsal League, volunteering for Holy Name Futsal for four years.

Visiting hours are Thursday, July 25th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Road, Swansea. Her Funeral Service will begin Friday, July 26th, at 9:00 AM at the Waring-Sullivan Home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 530 Gardners Neck Road, Swansea. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Fall River. Relatives and friends are invited to all services. For directions and tributes, please visit www.waring-sullivan.com. Contributions in her honor may be made to Holy Name School, 850 Pearce Street, Fall River, MA 02720, www.hnsfr.org/donate.

Rest in peace, Lisa Joan. Your spirit lives on in the countless lives you've enriched and the memories you've created.