The Murphy children were close to their extended families. They were frequent visitors as well to their aunts who resided in the new Mount Saint Mary’s that accommodated the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Martha. Mount St. Mary’s, an impressive convent overlooking the city on the Mount Edward Road, was constructed in 1964. One aunt, Sister Mary Angela had become the General Superior of the Congregation in 1963, and Sister Marion was administrator and general treasurer. The Murphy children cut the grass on occasion and were rewarded by being allowed to bowl in the two lanes set up in the basement. The aunts were also frequent visitors to the Murphy home.

They also learned the importance of teamwork. Shawn played Junior A hockey at UPEI. D’Arcy was an excellent hockey player. After playing junior hockey with the Charlottetown Islanders in the Maritime Junior A league and with the St. Catherines Blackhawks in the Ontario Major Junior A League, he played varsity hockey with St. Mary’s University in Halifax. He was scouted by the New York Islanders, and invited to attend their training camp. Unfortunately, he broke his ankle during the first intersquad game, effectively ending what might have been a promising career in professional hockey. Kevin was a member of the Charlottetown Islanders hockey team that won the national Hardy Cup in 1981 and 1983, and the national Allan Cup in 1991. At one time, Danny, Kevin and Stephen all played on the same high—flying junior hockey team. One winter, Danny played with a top—rated junior team in Smith Falls, Ontario. Mary Jane was twice on the Prince Edward Island Canada Games synchronized swim team.

Sports require great dedication and hard work. The boys spent long hours at hockey practices, and Mary Jane would practice swimming

for two to three hours a day for several days a week. Their participation in sports instilled in them a competitive spirit and taught them the importance of working as part of a team. In all of this, they were supported and encouraged by their parents, who took evident pride in their achievements. After each sporting event, they would all sit around the kitchen table, analyzing the results.

110 KATHLEEN MURPHY, MAITRIARC