Florence Murdock

PLYMPTON, MASS. — Florence L. (Brouillard) Murdock, 78, died on Sunday, March 23, 2014.

She was married for 48 years to the late Gary Murdock of Plympton, Mass. and was the daughter of the late Minnie and Lucien Brouillard of Halifax, Mass.

Florence was mother to Laurie Murdock Suk (deceased) of Plympton; Linda Murdock Compian of Adkins, Texas; Lisa Fitzsimmons of Duxbury; Jamie Murdock of San Antonio, Texas; Heidi Reid-Healey of Bridgton; Robin Reid Johnson of Carver; Raymond Todd Reid of Bridgton; Lisa Murdock Crowell of Boston, Mass.; and Julie Murdock Lynch of Kingston. She was also “Gram” to 21 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. The oldest of six children, Florence is survived by her brother, Lucien Brouillard of Middleboro, and four sisters, Patricia Fernald of Plympton, Joan Bromley of Kingston, Judith Confar of Carver and Linda Brouillard of Maine.

In addition to her own children, Florence parented over 40 foster children. In 1987, Florence was recognized as Massachusetts “Foster Mother of the Year.”

Born in Quincy, Mass., she grew up in Hingham, graduating from Hingham High School in 1953. Residing in Plympton for over 46 years, Florence loved the ocean and treasured her annual visits to Saquish Beach. Her hobbies were music, reading and tending her beautiful gardens. Florence loved watching wildlife around her Plympton home, scenes that her husband, a wildlife artist, would often recapture for her in his paintings and carvings.

Challenged with multiple sclerosis her entire adult life, Florence’s resilience and strength of spirit was admired by all who knew, loved and cared for her. For the past few years, Florence has resided at Wingate in Kingston.

Visiting hours were held on Wednesday, April 2 at Shepherds Funeral Home, 216 Main Street (Rte 106) in Kingston, Mass. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 3 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Services will conclude with interment at Hillcrest Cemetery in Plympton, Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Florence’s name online at msnewengland.org or mailed to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Greater New England Chapter, 101A 1st Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451.