SCARBOROUGH – After 81 years of a life well-lived, Sharon Elizabeth Murphy passed away peacefully on May 31, 2024. Born in Augusta to Stuart (Tate) and Muriel (Winkie) Taylor, Sharon enjoyed spending time with family at the lake in Strong, as well as Boothbay Harbor. Sharon was a majorette at Cony High School where she graduated as a member of the class of 1960. From there, she attended the University of Maine where she majored in English and formed life-long friendships with her Phi Mu Sorority sisters. During this time, Sharon met the love of her life, Tom Murphy with whom she would share the next 60 years. After graduating in 1964, Sharon went on to share her love of learning as an English teacher.

Family was the focal point of Sharon’s life. Raising four children was her proudest achievement and greatest joy. Sharon, Tom and the kids moved to California in 1972 but always returned home to their cottage at Higgins Beach in Scarborough. For the last 20 years, Sharon and Tom split their time between the two coasts.

Sharon enjoyed friendly competition. She played tennis and golf at Round Hill Country Club and she loved her weekly bridge games whether at the Higgins Beach Clubhouse or with her gang in the desert. An avid card player, Sharon taught all of her children and grandchildren to play a mean game of hearts and a wildly competitive game of double (or eight player) solitaire any place there was a rug to spread out on. Sharon was a fierce competitor and valued partner. Her strategic prowess was often underestimated. Jigsaw, crossword or any kind of puzzle were never left unfinished and she had a particular knack for finding a winning slot machine.

Despite her personal competitive nature, Sharon was everyone’s biggest fan. Every game/performance/graduation, Sharon was there, cheering you on. This applied not only to her own family, but all those she considered family.

Sharon was predeceased by her parents, Tate and Winkie Taylor.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Tom; their children, Kelly, Bill, Kathleen and Patty, sons-in-laws, Steve, Rick and John; and grandchildren, Caitlin, Abby, Jackson, Tate, Ben, Gina and Murphy.

Sharon’s life will be celebrated with visiting hours on Friday, June 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Hobbs Funeral Home in South Portland.

Gifts in memory of Sharon may be made payable to the

University of Maine Foundation,

Two Alumni Place,

Orono, ME 04469-5792

or online at

umaine.edu/give.

Please note in memory of Sharon E. Taylor in the memo line.

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