Joanne Murphy Obituary
Joanne Murphy, born Frances Joanne Walsh on December 22, 1933, passed away peacefully on July 31st, 2024 at the age of 90. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 220 Church St., St. Joseph, Michigan on Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made out to Alzheimer’s Association - Michigan Great Lakes Chapter, 25200 Telegraph Rd., Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033 of Caring Circle Hospice, 4025 Health Park Ln, St Joseph, MI 49085.Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Joanne is survived by her loving husband, James Francis Murphy of Stevensville MI; two children, Joan Herman of Stevensville (husband Bruce), and John Murphy of Louisville, KY (wife Sarah and children Ethan, Jordan and Emily). She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Emily Walsh and her brothers, Paul, Thomas and Daniel.
Joanne grew up in the tiny town of Pinnebog in Michigan's thumb where her family ran the general store. After graduating from Saint Joseph Academy in Adrian MI in 1951, she went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mercy College (now University of Detroit Mercy). Joanne began her career as a Registered Nurse in Detroit where she met her husband Jim, then a young bank examiner for the FDIC. She drove her 1955 pastel yellow Chevy Belair to their first date – a mixer at Jim’s apartment where it was love at first sight for the woman that would become his wife of 66 years. After their marriage in 1958, they moved to Buchanan, MI where their two children John and Joan were born and in 1967 put down roots in Stevensville, MI. In 1993 they retired to Naples FL where Joanne and Jim shared their passion for golf.
Joanne was a beautiful, funny, talented and deeply spiritual woman. She was truly one of a kind and to be loved by her was to be truly blessed. Her unguarded, infectious laugh and irreverent sense of humor will live on in the memories of all who were fortunate enough to know her. Joanne was a force of nature – a caring, strong woman who possessed a radiant zest for life yet didn’t suffer fools gladly. She held a fierce devotion to all those she held dear. Beloved by her family, Joanne made an indelible mark on our world that will endure in our hearts far beyond her passing.
She will be profoundly missed.
