A BEACON OF LIGHT AND COMPASSION
MURGIDA, Reverend Helen M. PhD (Sampson)
Reverend Helen M. Murgida, PhD (Sampson), a beacon of light and compassion, passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, in Newburyport, MA, at the age of 80. Helen was born on September 18, 1943 and grew up in Somerville, MA. She graduated from Matignon High School in 1961 and attended Northeastern University, where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Education, in 1966 and 1968 respectively.
Helen’s profound impact on education and her unwavering commitment to inclusivity began to blossom during her tenure as a teacher at the Cotting School from
1966 to 1971, a school dedicated to serving children with a wide range of disabilities since 1893. In 1969, she and her late husband
Dr. Frank Murgida, PhD, moved to Georgetown, MA, where she and her dear friend and business partner, Sandra DeVellis, opened the non-profit and inclusionary preschool, named Pentucket Workshop, in 1972. This remarkable school – ahead of its time – broke barriers and championed equal education for all children, irrespective of their physical, financial, or cognitive differences. Concurrently, she also taught early childhood education at Northern Essex Community College for many years.
In 1976, Helen and Frank settled in West Boxford, MA, raising their two beloved sons and became active members of LaSalette Catholic Church in Ipswich, MA. In 1994, Helen and Frank moved to Newburyport, MA, where they lived for the remainder of their lives. Driven by love of learning and service, Helen returned to college at the age of 52, earning a second master’s degree in special education from Salem State University in 1996. Her passion led her to work in special education in various public and charter schools in the greater Boston area, before embarking on her journey to obtain a PhD in Special Education, specializing in autism, from Nova
Southeastern University in 2006, at the age of 62.
From 2001 to 2009, Helen served as Head of School at Pathways Academy for autistic children at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA. Simultaneously, she was a liaison with the Massachusetts Department of Education. In 2009, she was hired by the Massachusetts Department of Education in the Office of Special Education Schools, where she traveled throughout the state ensuring the physical, emotional, and educational standards of Massachuesetts’ special needs schools. She dutifully served in this role and fought for the children and communities of the Commonwealth until the time of her passing.
Ever the champion for those in need, Helen felt a calling in 2006 to work within her faith community in addition to educating children. Helen’s pursuit of spiritual enlightenment led her to The Chaplaincy Institute of Maine, where she studied from
2006 to 2008, ultimately becoming an ordained interfaith minister. In 2015, she became an active member of the First Religious Society of Newburyport (FRS), Unitarian Universalist Church, where she served as an Affiliate Minister who was passionately devoted to a ministry of spiritual inclusion and physical and mental accessibility for all.
Even during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic, she bravely fulfilled her ministry, officiating countless Memorial
Services in person, as well as newborn dedications and weddings for the North Shore community, which she continued until her final days, all while still working for the Department of Education. Helen also served the city of Newburyport, MA as a FRS representative at city hall ceremonies to lead opening prayers for public meetings, such as Juneteenth Celebrations, State of the City, Jeanne Geiger Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence, and other local gatherings. She will be dearly missed by all those who had the good fortune to know her as a family member, friend, co-worker, and spiritual advisor.
Helen’s legacy will forever be cherished by her family, friends, colleagues, and those who sought her spiritual guidance. She was predeceased by parents, Dr. Joseph Sampson, MD and Helen Vodoklys Sampson and her husband Frank Murgida, all of Somerville, MA.
She is survived by her loving sons, Matthew and Lucas Murgida; and her brother Joseph Sampson, Jr.; sisterin-law Joyce Sampson; and her niece and nephew, Christine and Joseph Sampson, III. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Brenda Murgida Taylor and her family; Jeff Taylor; and her nephew and niece, Benjamin and Kate Taylor. Helen will also be lovingly missed by her brother-in-law, Alan Murgida.
Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Paul C Rogers & Sons Funeral Home in AMESBURY, MA, from 2-4 PM and
6-8 PM. A Memorial Service honoring Helen’s extraordinary life will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at First Religious Society of Newburyport Unitarian Universalist Church, at 1:00 PM, in Newburyport, MA, followed by a reception in the church’s parish hall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the 501c3 non-profit preschool Pentucket Workshop, Inc. at 161 West Main Street, Georgetown, MA, 01833.
Reverend Helen Murgida will forever remain in our hearts, her spirit shining brightly as a guiding light of love, compassion, and unwavering dedication to others.