Margaret Ann Murphy of Falmouth Heights, a lifelong learner, volunteer and activist, died on October 20. She was 89.

Born in West Newton to Thomas L. and Johanna Irene (Gaudet) Matthews, she grew up in West Newton and graduated from Saint Bernard’s High School in Fitchburg.

As a high school freshman, she attended a performance of “Jenny Kissed Me” at Our Lady’s High School in Waltham, where she first saw James F. Murphy Jr. perform. Years later, after he returned from his military service in Korea, they were introduced by a mutual friend and were married for 54 years, until his death in 2015.

Attending Regis College with the help of her aunts, who instilled the importance of women being self-reliant, educated and property owners, she earned her bachelor’s degree. With her real estate ac

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