Obituary for Joan E. (MacDonald) Murphy
Joan E. (MacDonald) Murphy, 89, of Auburn, died peacefully on Monday, January 9, 2023 at home, surrounded by family.
Joan was born in Worcester on June 6, 1933, daughter of the late Allan and Margaret (Underwood) MacDonald.
She leaves her devoted husband of 63 years, David J. Murphy, Jr.; her children, Karen Dowd, of Edgartown, Peter Murphy, of Pittsfield, and Donna Briand and her husband Ed, of Whitinsville; her grandchildren, Thomas Dowd, Brian Dowd, and Savannah Trudelle, all of Edgartown, and James and Adam Briand, of Whitinsville; her great-grandchildren, Jackson and Alaina Dowd, both of Edgartown; her nieces, Brenda Blacklock, Debra Thompson, and Rebecca Van Cleave; as well as many cousins.
Joan graduated from Kenmore High School in Kenmore, NY, Class of 1951. After graduating, she returned to Auburn, MA with her parents to be closer to family. She worked for the Electric Light Company in Worcester, where she met her beloved David. They married in 1959 and moved to Framingham to raise their family, where they resided for over 35 years. She retired from a lengthy career as an Administrative Assistant at Raytheon in Sudbury, after 10 years. Upon retirement, Joan returned to Auburn with David, residing here since 1999.
Joan loved life. She often spoke of her first job at the local movie theatre. She was a USO girl and loved going out dancing in her younger years. Joan loved her family, and bragged about her grandchildren often. Joan also enjoyed painting, cake decorating, shopping and talking.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Murphy family from 3 – 6 PM on Friday, January 13, 2023 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central St., Auburn. A funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Hillside Cemetery.
Joan was born in Worcester on June 6, 1933, daughter of the late Allan and Margaret (Underwood) MacDonald.
She leaves her devoted husband of 63 years, David J. Murphy, Jr.; her children, Karen Dowd, of Edgartown, Peter Murphy, of Pittsfield, and Donna Briand and her husband Ed, of Whitinsville; her grandchildren, Thomas Dowd, Brian Dowd, and Savannah Trudelle, all of Edgartown, and James and Adam Briand, of Whitinsville; her great-grandchildren, Jackson and Alaina Dowd, both of Edgartown; her nieces, Brenda Blacklock, Debra Thompson, and Rebecca Van Cleave; as well as many cousins.
Joan graduated from Kenmore High School in Kenmore, NY, Class of 1951. After graduating, she returned to Auburn, MA with her parents to be closer to family. She worked for the Electric Light Company in Worcester, where she met her beloved David. They married in 1959 and moved to Framingham to raise their family, where they resided for over 35 years. She retired from a lengthy career as an Administrative Assistant at Raytheon in Sudbury, after 10 years. Upon retirement, Joan returned to Auburn with David, residing here since 1999.
Joan loved life. She often spoke of her first job at the local movie theatre. She was a USO girl and loved going out dancing in her younger years. Joan loved her family, and bragged about her grandchildren often. Joan also enjoyed painting, cake decorating, shopping and talking.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Murphy family from 3 – 6 PM on Friday, January 13, 2023 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central St., Auburn. A funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Hillside Cemetery.