Generous spirit and talent for decorating
MELROSE — Susan Elizabeth (Murphy) Manning passed away Friday, July 12 at the Oostermans Rest Home in Melrose. She was 81 years old. Born on June 10, 1943 in Boston to Frances and William Murphy the oldest of their three children, she was raised in Cambridge. She was a proud graduate of Cambridge High and Latin School’s class of 1961 where she made lifelong friends and discovered her great love of dancing after school to American Bandstand.
On a night out in Cambridge Square, Susan met her husband Bob and as they say the rest was history. They began their life together marrying in 1967, truly living their vows of better and worse, in sickness and health for forty four years until his passing. Bob and Sue moved to Melrose in 1972 to their beloved red house on the cornet, their own Camelot. Susan raised their two daughters here cherishing her role as their devoted mother. She loved her neighborhood dearly and for fifty years cultivated deep friendships that became an extended family. Susan loved children (especially the rascals ) and was gifted as a paraprofessional for the Roosevelt School kindergarten in Melrose for twenty years.
As well as her husband Robert, Susan was predeceased by her precious daughter Courtney and her sister Karen Lohrman. Susan is survived by her daughter Kara Manning Clegg and her grandchildren Julia and William Clegg who brought her immeasurable joy and of whom she took such pride. She is also survived by her brother William Murphy and wife Patti; her sister in law Gail Romeo and husband Mark; sister in law Carole Manning Kim and husband Richard; as well as many nieces and nephews that she adored.
Always dressed and accessorized to perfection, Susan will be remembered for her generous spirit, always wanting to give the perfect gift, her love of family and spending time together especially in Eastham on the beaches of Cape Cod Bay and for her talent at decorating and lighting up the world around her no matter the season.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, July 19 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, July 20 at 11 a.m. at The Incarnation Church, Upham St., Melrose. Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visit gatelyfh.com.
