1970s. During parent—teacher interviews, they made the rounds of each of their children’s teachers, often in different schools.

Although none of the children by their own admission were great students (they were too busy working or playing sports) it was taken for granted that they would attend university. Shawn was the first to enrol, and it only seemed natural that the others would follow. Although they had no definite career goals growing up, they all eventually gravitated

to law, business and accounting. Danny, when he was 15, at Kathleen’s prompting, attended a three day retreat at Mount Saint Mary’s organized by the Oblate order for Catholic boys who might be considering the priesthood. With a brother and two sisters who followed religious vocations, Kathleen may have hoped that one of her own children would

do so as well.

The seven oldest Murphy children sitting on the flont steps. In the back row (left to right) are Marylane, Shawn, the family dog Sandy, Michael and Stephen. Seated in flont (left to right) are Danny, Kevin and D’Arcy

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