In Memory of Tish

The family is saddened by the passing of Tish, beloved wife of Owen and mother of Gerrit and Lizzie.

Tish died on Friday evening, Nov. 7, at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston. Owen, Lizzie, Gerrit and his wife Angela had been visiting with her throughout the day. Owen said Tish maintained the cheerfulness she had shown throughout her illness, and passed away very peacefully.

Gerrit writes that his mother "fought ovarian cancer with tremendous courage and determination. She will be greatly missed and the world lost an amazing woman today."

Lizzie adds that her mom "is truly an inspiration to us all. I am blessed to call her my mother and so thankful for all of our wonderful memories. Heaven gained a beautiful person tonight."

August, 2014. Portrait at top: June, 2011

The following obituary appeared in the

Cape Cod Times on Nov. 13, 2014:

With son, Gerrit, and daughter-in-law, Angela, September 2014

Patricia "Tish" Murphy

DENNIS - Just weeks after walking in a 5K for Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Tish lost a well-fought battle with ovarian cancer. Surrounded by her loving family, she died Friday evening, Nov. 7, 2014.

Tish was born in New York City and grew up in Queens, New York. She graduated from Marymount College in Tarrytown, N.Y., and went on to work in art therapy at two nursing homes in New York City.

After marrying in 1980, Tish moved to Cape Cod with her husband Owen in 1987 where she became very active in the community, especially in the Dennis Yarmouth school system. She also greatly enjoyed her time as children’s librarian at the Dennis Public Library in Dennisport.

In 2008, she left her job at the library to pursue her passion of painting. Tish was a juried artist member, on the board of directors of the Cape Cod Art Association, member of the Yarmouth Art Guild, Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, Cultural Center of Cape Cod and the Artist Guild of Charleston, S.C. Her work has received many awards.

She is survived by her husband, Owen Murphy; her children, Gerrit and Elizabeth and daughter-in-law Angela, and a group of amazing friends. A loving and dedicated wife, mother and friend, Tish will be greatly missed by all.

Calling hours to be held from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 729 Route 134, Dennis. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Saint Pius X in Yarmouth.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to: Gynecologic Oncology Program, Dana Farber Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., YC 1420, Boston, MA 02215-5450, ATTN: Susan Berlin, D.O.

For online condolences, please visit www.doanebealames.com.

With husband, Owen, and sister-in-law, Nanette, September 2014

From tishmurphyfineart.com

Finishing 3-mile walk at annual Dennis Road Race, July 2014

"I hope to share my way of seeing

through my paintings"

Tish Barrens Murphy grew up in New York City, and summered on Cape Cod. She graduated with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies for Art Therapy from Marymount College, Tarrytown, N.Y. Tish moved to Cape Cod with her husband twenty-five years ago and has had the joy of raising both her children on the Cape. Tish has had a lifelong exploration and love of art and states: "I cannot remember a time in my life when I did not appreciate or have an interest in art."

Tish is a juried artist member, and a member of the Board of Directors, of the Cape Cod Art Association. She is also a member of the Yarmouth Art Guild, Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, Cultural Center of Cape Cod and Charleston, S.C., Artist Guild. Her painting "Claws Crossed" was selected to be one of the images on the menu cover at the The Dan'l Webster Inn, Sandwich, Mass. The paintings: "Lowcountry Red, Green, and Yellow" “Friends” and "Waiting and Watching" have won awards at the Cape Cod Art Association. Her work may be seen at exhibits in Charleston and Cape Cod, including the Cape Cod Art Association, the Cultural Center of Cape Cod and corporate environments.

A funeral Mass for Tish was celebrated Saturday, Nov. 22, at St. Pius X Church in South Yarmouth, Mass.

Scores of family and friends gathered to commemorate Tish during visitation hours Friday, at the Mass on Saturday and at a reception that afternoon. The reception was held at the Borsari Gallery, where some of Tish's artwork was on display, along with a collection of family photos.

Walk for the cure, September 2014

At home June 1, 2014, with Owen, Gerrit, Angela, Lizzie, and at left, Owen's cousin Dan and his daughter Christine.

Here's a slideshow of vintage and recent photos:

A

At the Jimmy Fund Rally Against Cancer kick-off event at Fenway Park, February 2014

With Gerrit at his wedding, Aug. 27, 2011