Janina M. (Chmielewski) Murphy passed away at her home in Marblehead on September 28, 2017. She was 94 years of age. Janina was born in Somerville on November 25, 1922, was raised in Somerville and graduated from Somerville High School. Mrs. Murphy lived in Melrose for over 50 years and the past 6 years in Marblehead. During WWII Janina worked for the Department of Defense in Washington D.C. and after raising her family she worked as a bookkeeper at Tom's Service Center in Saugus for 15 years and at the Barrett & Turner Dairy Company in Malden for over 20 years. She was a longtime member of St. Mary's Church in Melrose where she taught CCD, was a lector at church, was a member of St. Mary's Ladies Sodality and was one of the editors for the "Myrtle Street Journal". Mrs. Murphy was a talented artist who enjoyed painting, crafts, sculpturing and making clothes for her family. She was also an avid reader and read a book a day for many years. Janina liked taking trips to Cape Cod, Hampton Beach, Scarborough, Maine, Newport, R.I. and traveling to Vermont. But above all she cherished the times spent with her family. Mrs. Murphy was the beloved wife of the late Robert P. Murphy. Loving mother of Robert P. Murphy Jr. of Moultonborough, NH, Gary W. Murphy & his wife Anne of PA, Janina M. Glabicky & her late husband Robert of Marblehead, Kevin C. Murphy of South Boston and Christine M. Daugsiewicz & her husband Philip of Melrose. Cherished grandmother of Patrick Murphy, Bridget Bruce, Danielle Quinn, Christopher & Caitlyn Murphy, Nicholas, Daniel, Andrew & Michael Glabicky and Brooke Murphy. Proud great grandmother of Henry & Alexander. Beloved aunt of Doug & Laura Boyer as well as numerous other nieces & nephews. Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 from 5:00-8:00PM. Funeral procession from Gately Funeral Home on Thursday, October 12th at 9:00AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, 9 Herbert St. Melrose at 10:00AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Church, 46 Myrtle St. Melrose, MA 02176 or to St. Anne's Church, 290 Jefferson Ave. Salem, MA 01970. Words of Remembrance by her daughter Janina Glabicky A few days before my Mom passed away, when asked by my brothers how she was feeling, ever the optimist she replied, "It's a good day…. it's a lucky day." And that is the way all, who would one day be fortunate to call her mother, sister, wife, sister in law, aunt, or friend, would come to regard November 25th, 1922- the day she first entered the world – as a good day, a lucky day! Janina Marie Murphy, was the daughter of Monica and Stanley Chmielewski, sister of Tony, Heddy, and Helen, wife of Robert, mother of five, grandmother of 10, great grandmother of 2, aunt to many and friend to all. Janina was a child of immigrant parents and just as for many in her neighborhood of Somerville, life wasn't easy. With a name pronounced, Yanyana in Polish, she told me she was teased and called Onion. Although Janina was bright, her parents, not knowing the language, the culture, or the ropes, could not encourage her to go to college – something my Mom-a life-long learner, said she would have loved to do. The desire for a college education, harbored so long ago, became a fervent and single-minded goal she would pursue for each of her children. My Mom met my Dad at a dance and would soon say their "I do's" in June 1949. After working for the defense department when she was single, Janina settled into married life as a stay at home mother and welcomed in baby Bobby, quickly followed by Gary, Janina, Kevin and finally Christine. With five kids to continually reign in, life had its challenges. But Mom was the rock and the glue that kept us strong, together and in line. She had an unwavering faith that was ever present in any situation. If we were hurt and in pain, Mom would say "offer it up". If we lost something she would tell us to "ask St. Anthony for help". If we were confused or unhappy, Mom would tell us to "just say a prayer". She prayed the rosary every night and I firmly believe Mary and she were on a first name basis. When Mom came to live with me six years ago, she said so many prayers, watched the daily Mass, and chanted along with the Chapel of Mercies-that I was convinced we were protected by a host of angels who hovered around listening to and responding to Mom's prayers. When we were kids, Mom took a firm hand in our Catholic upbringing. We all attended Catholic grammar schools (at St. Mary's in Melrose) and four of us would attend Catholic colleges. She was our model who volunteered regularly and taught CCD. Mom was the president of the Ladies Sodality, an organization which supported the Knights of Columbus's charitable activities. She was active in St. Mary's for over 50 years as a lector, parishioner, and church volunteer. Mom lived her faith fully and she would steadfastly use it to guide us all through the years. Mom was barely five feet tall and yet she was a giant in our eyes. We recently learned that she took care of my Dad's mother in their home when they were first married. This act of kindness was borne out again and again over the years when she took in several of our friends for long periods of time. It is just something Mom did without a second thought. If there was someone in need, Mom was there to offer her home, her help, or her support in whatever way she could. Mom sacrificed much to give each of us a solid start in life. Someone once said, "A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." That was my Mom. She never drank milk when we were kids, (although in later years she admitted she loved it) because she always wanted to make sure there was plenty for us. When my Dad hit on tough times as he wrestled with his demons, she went to work and became the bread winner. With Mom, each challenging situation was turned into a blessing. In the work world she used her smarts and got immense satisfaction in doing a good job. Ever the perfectionist, Mom excelled at everything she was given to do. She socialized easily with her co-workers who all became true, dear friends. Mom loved working and she loved creating. She was a fantastic cook, a beautiful artist and skilled crafts woman. Every year Mom would create new hand-made Christmas decorations that would adorn our tree or mantle. The picture on the cover of the program is one she painted. Mom was not one to lavish praise on her kids but she would proudly talk to friends or relatives about our accomplishments. We were loved and we were adored (just not often out loud to us) but firmly and without question in her heart. For each of us, Mom will be deeply missed. Her courage and tenacity, love and faith helped make us who we are today. To my brother Bobby, she was a sanctuary – someone who unconditionally and unquestioningly was there for him every step of the way. She encouraged Gary to work hard and be whoever he wanted to be and it was her strength he relished. As for me, she understood me better than I really knew. She celebrated my triumphs, supported my choices, and gave me the most precious gift of her time these last six years. For Kevin, her favorite, she was always his guiding light and a person he loved and cherished above all else. And with Christine, Mom's beautiful baby, she delighted in her company and in her own beautiful family. She was so proud to see the mother my sister had become. Over the years, my siblings, cousins, children, in-laws, nieces, and nephews have come to recognize that the true gift of our vacations together these past 26 years is the gift of family. Mom would always start the first night's dinner with a blessing which would inevitably end with a teary emotion choked, "I love this family. God bless you all." On September 28th, 2017 at 11:40 in the morning, as Blessed Mary looked down and Mom took her last breath, I am certain a choir of angels excitedly welcomed one of their own to the fold. "Look, she's finally here, they rejoiced, and in unison exclaimed, it's a good day…. it's a lucky day!" Rest in Peace Mom, you are home.