Peabody Shocked By Sudden Death Of School Superintendent Murtagh

PEABODY, MA — Cara Murtagh, who took over superintendent of Peabody Public Schools after working her way up from a classroom teacher, has died. In a Facebook message, Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt described the death as unexpected.

"Superintendent Murtagh’s talent, energy and can-do spirit inspired all those whose lives she touched. Her selfless devotion to our students, faculty and staff, combined with her lifelong passion for education, lifted the entire Peabody school community," Bettencourt said. "I was honored to work with Cara every day and proud to call her my friend. On behalf of our entire community, I have extended to Cara’s family our heartfelt sympathy and loving support."

Murtagh died early Friday morning. In addition to the Facebook message, Bettencourt alerted Peabody residents through an automated telephone call Friday morning. Her death comes during the same month the district mourned the loss of a 13-year-old student who was hit by a car on Route 114.

A Peabody native, Murtagh took over at the start of the 2018-19 school year after serving as assistant superintendent. She immediately dove into the challenges of overseeing a 6,000-student district, lobbying City Council for $1.2 million to cover increased costs of educating special needs students. At the end of her first year on the job, Murtagh received praise from the Peabody school committee. In a self-evaluation, Murtagh had rated herself "proficient," but the school committee raised those ratings to "exemplary."

"You were hit with a wide variety of very challenging budget items, situations, challenges and you rose to the occasion, and I think even better years are ahead for you," Bettencourt, who also chairs the school committee, said during her performance review.

Murtagh started her career as a teacher at St. John the Baptist School before moving to the Carrol School in Peabody. She later served as an assistant principal and principal at the Carroll School, and then served as principal of the Center School.

Murtagh's father, Jack, who died in 2014, was principal of Kiley Brothers Memorial School for 37 years. Her uncle, John, served as principal of Burke Elementary and Higgins Middle School in Peabody.

Murtagh, 44, graduated Bishop Fenwick High School in 1993 and from Emmanuel College in 1997 and earned a graduate degree in educational leadership and administration from Emmanuel in 2000.

Murtagh is survived by her mother, Carol (Santangelo) Murtagh of Peabody, her sister, Kim Murtagh of Peabody, her brother, Sean Murtagh and his wife Colleen of Greenbush, NY and her niece and nephews, Ashley, Michael, and Jack Murtagh.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Wiggin Auditorium at Peabody City Hall, Lowell St, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Her Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 10:00 at the Wiggin Auditorium followed by her burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Cedar Grove Ave, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Peabody Education Foundation visit www.peabodyeducationfoundation.org