Obituary: Mary Catherine (Toolan) Murphy, 73

Mary Catherine (Toolan) Murphy, of Cranston, died Monday after a courageous 25-year battle with cancer. 

She was 73 and died at home surrounded by her family.

She was the wife of Robert E. Murphy, to whom she was married for 51 years. Born and raised in Providence, and a former resident of Smithfield, she was a daughter of the late Bartholomew and Lucrezia "Grace" (Tantimonaco) Toolan.

She built her world around her family and flavored it with reading, crossword puzzles and political activism, with groups such as the Raging Grannies. She also enjoyed kayaking and traveled extensively with her husband.

Besides her husband she is survived by her four children and their spouses, John and Christine Murphy of Easton, Mass., Meg and Michael Webb of Wyoming, R.I., Matthew Murphy and Sarah Morrill of Salem, Mass., and Beth and Michael Baccari of Cranston.

She was the cherished grandmother of nine and dear sister of Frank Toolan of Narragansett, Peg Wardle of Coventry, Patricia Pennine of Johnston and John Toolan of Narragansett. Services were private. Donations in her name may be sent to Crossroads Rhode Island (http://www.crossroadsri.org/)