Obituary for Jean Margaret Halpin (Murphy)
COHOES - Jean Margaret Murphy Halpin, 89, was peacefully called home to her Lord with her daughter at her bedside and her entire family keeping virtual vigil.
Born in Troy, NY, she was the devoted daughter of the late Mary A. Monahan and Hugh R. Murphy, the loving soulmate and wife to the late James J. Halpin, Jr., and the dedicated mother of the late James Jude Halpin.
Jean lived her entire life on Troy’s east side, attending Sacred Heart School and Catholic Central High School. In 1951 she married the love of her life, Jim Halpin, Jr., with whom she shared 62 years of marriage, until his passing in 2012. Together they raised a beautiful family of 10 children. A dedicated stay-at-home mom, Jean loved to have a full house and her motto of “The more the merrier” turned the Halpin home into the hangout for neighborhood kids and friends. She never hesitated to throw together extra PB&J sandwiches at lunchtime, or to set an extra plate on the table for dinner. Jean gathered the family for special occasions, or just because, by hosting Halpin Yard Picnics and hearty Sunday dinners. She never missed planning a family vacation to Hampton Beach or Lake George, where cherished family memories were made. For years, family and friends came back to the Halpin house on Christmas night to enjoy the love, laughter and, as always with any of Jean’s gatherings, endless fun. Jean’s love of laugher and singing remains in the hearts of many.
Jean adored her 23 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren with all her heart. She was there for them at the drop of a hat. Simple yet meaningful visits at Gram and Pop’s included eggs and donuts after Sunday Mass, sleep overs, playing Nintendo and “stealing” Gram’s Double-Mint gum from her purse. Even as Jean developed dementia in later life, a visit from a grand or great-grandchild, always brightened her smile.
A lifelong communicant of Sacred Heart Church of Troy, Jean’s Catholic faith was her passion. She managed to quietly serve others all of her life. She was committed to spreading God’s love, and worked diligently to organize an annual All-Night Vigil for the Feasts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary at St. Joseph’s Church in Troy that continued for 20 years. Jean humbly persevered to organize the first Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Albany Diocese which continues today, 40 years later, at St. Augustine’s Church in Troy. She also started and hosted a chapter of The Blue Army, a youth prayer group devoted to Our Lady of Fatima.
She is survived by her children Mary Jean Halpin, Wendy (Ron) Simmons, Kathleen (Tim) Sheridan, David (Susan) Halpin, Nancy (Matt Maguire) Halpin, Jeffery (Deborah) Halpin, Laurie (Davis) Fay, John (Kelly) Halpin, and Amy (Joe) Bucciero.
Jean is also survived by her 23 grandchildren Christen, Jonathan (Katie) and Rachel Bryce, Meghan and Ashley Simmons, J. Kolbe (Tobi) Sheridan, Jennifer (Mark) Deyo, Laura (Brett) Reutzel and Katie (Matt) Decker, Elizabeth (Ryan) Witherow, Molly, Jeffery, Jr. and Juliana Halpin, Jimmy, Jeffrey, Maddie and Abby Fay, Emily, David and Jacob Halpin, Mario, Giuseppe and Mary Bucciero, 12 great-grandchildren, Kelcey and Aylin, William and Addison, Taylor and Gavin, Brooke, Carter and Michael, Lyla and Noah, and Conor, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her husband and son, Jean was predeceased by her three beloved sisters, Mary Rosenberger, Helene Gackenheimer and Ann Lyons.
Jean’s family would like to express their gratitude to the amazing staff of Building 4 at the Eddy Village Green, Cohoes, with special thanks to “Mommy’s” special caretaker and friend for the past 10 years, Karen Laferriere.
Due to Covid-19, the funeral services will be private.
Contributions may be made, in Jean’s memory, to Sacred Heart Parish, 310 Spring Avenue, Troy NY 12180 or to the Perpetual Adoration Devotional Ministry at St. Augustine’s Church, 25 115th St., Troy, NY 12182.
A memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced.
Born in Troy, NY, she was the devoted daughter of the late Mary A. Monahan and Hugh R. Murphy, the loving soulmate and wife to the late James J. Halpin, Jr., and the dedicated mother of the late James Jude Halpin.
Jean lived her entire life on Troy’s east side, attending Sacred Heart School and Catholic Central High School. In 1951 she married the love of her life, Jim Halpin, Jr., with whom she shared 62 years of marriage, until his passing in 2012. Together they raised a beautiful family of 10 children. A dedicated stay-at-home mom, Jean loved to have a full house and her motto of “The more the merrier” turned the Halpin home into the hangout for neighborhood kids and friends. She never hesitated to throw together extra PB&J sandwiches at lunchtime, or to set an extra plate on the table for dinner. Jean gathered the family for special occasions, or just because, by hosting Halpin Yard Picnics and hearty Sunday dinners. She never missed planning a family vacation to Hampton Beach or Lake George, where cherished family memories were made. For years, family and friends came back to the Halpin house on Christmas night to enjoy the love, laughter and, as always with any of Jean’s gatherings, endless fun. Jean’s love of laugher and singing remains in the hearts of many.
Jean adored her 23 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren with all her heart. She was there for them at the drop of a hat. Simple yet meaningful visits at Gram and Pop’s included eggs and donuts after Sunday Mass, sleep overs, playing Nintendo and “stealing” Gram’s Double-Mint gum from her purse. Even as Jean developed dementia in later life, a visit from a grand or great-grandchild, always brightened her smile.
A lifelong communicant of Sacred Heart Church of Troy, Jean’s Catholic faith was her passion. She managed to quietly serve others all of her life. She was committed to spreading God’s love, and worked diligently to organize an annual All-Night Vigil for the Feasts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary at St. Joseph’s Church in Troy that continued for 20 years. Jean humbly persevered to organize the first Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Albany Diocese which continues today, 40 years later, at St. Augustine’s Church in Troy. She also started and hosted a chapter of The Blue Army, a youth prayer group devoted to Our Lady of Fatima.
She is survived by her children Mary Jean Halpin, Wendy (Ron) Simmons, Kathleen (Tim) Sheridan, David (Susan) Halpin, Nancy (Matt Maguire) Halpin, Jeffery (Deborah) Halpin, Laurie (Davis) Fay, John (Kelly) Halpin, and Amy (Joe) Bucciero.
Jean is also survived by her 23 grandchildren Christen, Jonathan (Katie) and Rachel Bryce, Meghan and Ashley Simmons, J. Kolbe (Tobi) Sheridan, Jennifer (Mark) Deyo, Laura (Brett) Reutzel and Katie (Matt) Decker, Elizabeth (Ryan) Witherow, Molly, Jeffery, Jr. and Juliana Halpin, Jimmy, Jeffrey, Maddie and Abby Fay, Emily, David and Jacob Halpin, Mario, Giuseppe and Mary Bucciero, 12 great-grandchildren, Kelcey and Aylin, William and Addison, Taylor and Gavin, Brooke, Carter and Michael, Lyla and Noah, and Conor, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her husband and son, Jean was predeceased by her three beloved sisters, Mary Rosenberger, Helene Gackenheimer and Ann Lyons.
Jean’s family would like to express their gratitude to the amazing staff of Building 4 at the Eddy Village Green, Cohoes, with special thanks to “Mommy’s” special caretaker and friend for the past 10 years, Karen Laferriere.
Due to Covid-19, the funeral services will be private.
Contributions may be made, in Jean’s memory, to Sacred Heart Parish, 310 Spring Avenue, Troy NY 12180 or to the Perpetual Adoration Devotional Ministry at St. Augustine’s Church, 25 115th St., Troy, NY 12182.
A memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced.