Abigail M. (Murphy) Greenleaf

HOLDEN – Abigail M. (Murphy) Greenleaf, age 85, passed away at her home in Holden on Thursday, October 24, 2024. She was the high school sweetheart and wife of Lawrence “Larry” Greenleaf for 67 years.

Gail was born in Worcester, MA on July 4, 1939 daughter of Francis J. and Olive M. Murphy nee Brazile who predeceased her. She kept a promise to both of them that they would remain in their home together, even though they were both ill. They both passed away within six months of each other knowing that the promise had been kept.

Gail was given the name of Marnie by her granddaughter Katelyn and it followed her for all of her remaining years. She leaves her children, Michael Greenleaf and his wife, Gina, Donna Greenleaf and her partner, Pat McCarthy, and John Greenleaf and his wife, Elizabeth; her grandchildren, Katelyn Scully and her fiancé, Fred DiPietro, Jonathan Scully and his wife, Tanya, Jenna Simmons and her husband, David, and David Greenleaf. She also leaves behind her beloved great grandchildren, Michael DiPietro and Kian Scully, and her brother, David Murphy and his wife, Helen.

Gail was educated in Worcester graduating from St. Peter’s High School and the former school of Blessed Sacrament. During her years at St. Peter’s, she was inducted into Filenes Fashion Board and was a model for Filenes. After raising her family and upon her return to employment in 1980, and taking her federal exams, she was sworn into the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as an investigative analyst, covering the Worcester and Springfield Field Offices out of the Boston Field Division. She truly enjoyed the people she worked with and considered them friends. Gail retired from federal service in January of 2003.

Gail’s happiest times were spent with her husband, children and grandchildren. She was proud of being Marnie, being Irish and inheriting the gift of patience from her father and his Irish-sense-of-humor to match. Her family enjoyed her Irish dinner of five corn beefs every St. Patrick’s Day.

Visiting hours will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Friday, November 1st, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Worcester where her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 2nd. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.

Remembrances may be sent to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Job well done Marnie.

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit her tribute wall.