Carolyn Elizabeth Murphy

      When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Carolyn Elizabeth Murphy who was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Carolyn was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Carolyn knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her community.

       Her parents were Albert Edward and Marjorie Andrews. Carolyn was raised in Dartmouth and Port Hawkesbury. Even as a youngster, Carolyn learned to be objective and decisive. Her faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.

      As a young girl, Carolyn was able to put her natural abilities to work. She was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, she liked to organize and direct. Carolyn was raised with 3 siblings. She had one older brother Ted, one older sister Nancy, and one younger brother Wayne. Carolyn had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Carolyn, this was a natural order of life, one she gladly embraced.

      Carolyn's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during her childhood. As a young girl, Carolyn enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. Carolyn took part in basketball. She was a member of the Girl Guides of Canada. In her spare time she liked to sing.

      In school, Carolyn was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. She sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of her classes. She would eagerly complete her homework, and often put in extra study time when she felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Carolyn was always good at following directions and meeting her schedules, whether they were set by her teachers or were self-imposed. Carolyn’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. She did not complete grade 12; she attended university after her grade 11 year.

      Carolyn’s practical work ethic carried over into her college years. Her logical mind permitted her to work hard without succumbing to the usual distractions of college life. She would tackle an assignment and work through it before moving onto the next project. Carolyn’s orderly nature gave way to establishing personal study habits and procedures that not only helped her stay on track but often put her ahead of schedule. When Carolyn saw the need or benefit, she would willingly take on the extra assignment or even attend extra classes in order to learn more and become a better student. She earned her Bachelor of Secretarial Arts in 1970 and her Bachelor of Education in 1971, both from StFX. She also pursued graduate school, earning her Masters of Education. She attended Expo 67 as part of the Gaelic Choir.

      Carolyn was sociable and approachable. Because she was always so straightforward in how she approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. She enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Carolyn was a member of a group, her interaction worked to keep the others grounded. She wasn’t afraid to confront her friends and, when necessary, she challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Carolyn came to expect her high standards of performance. Later in life, she became friends with many people through Tarabish nights, quilting, and singing.

      An objective and conscientious individual, Carolyn reveled in the security of her family. On July 3, 1971 Carolyn exchanged wedding vows with Joseph Matthew Murphy at the St. Peter's Church of Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. One of Carolyn’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends.

      Carolyn was ever watchful of her children. She worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. She maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Carolyn would give her stamp of approval to their requests, as long as she could see how they might benefit. She also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that her children were properly raised. Carolyn was blessed with 3 children, one daughter, Kelly, and two sons, Sean and Ryan. They were also blessed with 4 grandchildren, Christy, Connor, Rylan, Maggie.

      Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Carolyn was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. She was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Carolyn was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. She worked cooperatively and expected the same from her colleagues. In both her personal and professional environments, Carolyn upheld her standards. Her primary occupation was teacher and guidance counsellor. She was employed with the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board. Carolyn was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

      Carolyn approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, she appreciated the hours she was able to devote to her various hobbies. Her favorite hobbies were singing, tole painting, stained glass, and quilting. Carolyn was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

      Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Carolyn to do in life and that carried over to her enjoyment of sports. Recreational sports included bowling and golf. She also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were curling, hockey, and golf.

      Being generous with her time and energy, Carolyn liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. She was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. Her desire to uphold traditions and her ability to take charge of any type of project made her a tremendous asset. Throughout her later years, Carolyn was an active member of the Rotary Shows and the Cape Breton Chorale.

      Faith was important to Carolyn. She held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay she saw around her. For that reason she held deep spiritual beliefs that she was willing to share. She was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church for 40 years. During that time, she was active in the church choir and taught Sunday school.

      When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Carolyn used her scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that she made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Carolyn had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included a Mediterrean Cruise, and traveling to Scotland, England, and Ireland as a member of the Cape Breton Chorale.

      When Carolyn’s retirement finally arrived in 2010, she was well prepared. She used her critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been preplanned and attended to. In retirement, she found pleasure in her hobbies and travelling to Myrtle Beach during the winter. In many ways, Carolyn loved retirement. It provided her with the opportunity to catch up with her friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.

      Carolyn passed away on January 22, 2018 at Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Carolyn fought a brave battle against cancer. She is survived by her spouse Joe; her children Kelly, Sean, and Ryan; her grandchildren Christy, Connor, Rylan, and Maggie; her brothers Ted and Wayne; her sister Nancy. Services were held at Our Lady of Fatima Church.

      All who knew her would agree that Carolyn was a pillar of the community. She lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in her thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Carolyn Elizabeth Murphy did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person.

* * * * * * * * * *

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Carolyn Elizabeth Murphy, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. Carolyn passed away peacefully on Monday, January 22, 2018 at the An Cala Palliative Care Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital with her loving husband Joe and granddaughter Christy by her side. Born on March 11, 1949 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, she was the daughter of Ed and the late Marjorie (Faulkner) Andrews.

Carolyn is survived by her husband of 46 years, Joe; daughter, Kelly, Bonnyville, AB; sons, Sean (Tracey), Winnipeg, MB and Ryan (Victoria), Edmonton, AB. Nanny will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren, Christy, Connor, Rylan and Maggie. She is also survived by her father, Ed Andrews, Dartmouth; sister, Nancy Cameron, Renfrew, ON; brothers, Ted (Marilyn) Andrews, PEI and Wayne Andrews, Dartmouth; brothers-in-law, John (Jane) Murphy, Corner Brook, NFLD and Kevin (Marie) Murphy, Sydney, and sister-in-law, Colleen (Jim) Pendlebury, Enfield.

Besides her mother, she was predeceased by brother-in-law, Russell Cameron.

A graduate of St. FX, Carolyn was a well-respected teacher and guidance counsellor for the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board.

Singing was a major part of her life. She was a member of the St. FX Gaelic Choir at Expo 67, Breton Belles and the Cape Breton Chorale. Her family fondly remembers her performances with the Rotary Club Broadway Musicals at the Savoy Theatre. Besides music, she had a passion for tole painting, stained glass, knitting and quilting. Her masterpieces are treasured family heirlooms.

Visitation will take place on Friday, January 26 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel, 755 George St., Sydney. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, January 27 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church.

It is with heartfelt gratitude that the Murphy family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of the An Cala Palliative Care Unit for their excellent and compassionate care of Carolyn.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carolyn’s memory may be made to the An Cala Palliative Care Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com