Obituary of Joan Thelma Murphy

    Mrs. Joan Thelma Murphy, 86, of N. Utica, passed away on Friday, December 16, 2022, at the Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Mohawk Valley in Ilion, with her loving family by her side.

     Joan was born in Utica, on July 11, 1936, the daughter of John Calvin and Annabelle White. She was raised locally, was a graduate of Utica Free Academy and earned her associates degree from Utica School of Commerce. For many years, Joan was employed as an underwriter with The Hartford Insurance Company. Joan enjoyed crocheting, knitting, tending to her flower garden, her yearly trips to Vermont to visit her son and daughter-in-law and she especially loved her cats. She will most be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, whose family was the joy of her life.

     Mrs. Murphy is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Pam and George Bellair of Deerfield; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Calvin and Julie Murphy of Vermont and Jeff Murphy of PA, as well as ten cherished grandchildren, nineteen adored great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Thomas Murphy, her daughter, Lynda Brugger, sister, Elaine Bray and lifelong best friend, Josephine Joynt.

     Visitation for family and friends is Saturday, January 7, 2023, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica., followed by a service at 2:00 at the conclusion of visitation. She will be laid to rest in Crown Hill Memorial Park in Kirkland in the spring. Those wishing to make a donation in Joan’s memory, please consider the International Rett Syndrome Foundation, 4500 Cooper Rd., Suite 204, Cincinnati, OH 45242 or Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society, 5664 Horatio St., Utica, NY 13502.