Joan Murphy Gerlits

Aunt Joan was my father, Neil Murphy's, younger sister. Family was important to Dad and Aunt Joan and Uncle John were are bit part of that. She was very kind and looked after my Grandmother Murphy for many years. That generation is winking out - Dad and Mom are gone, and now most of their generation. Our loss.

Joan Murphy Gerlits was my aunt by marriage to my late father's older brother, John T. Gerlits, Jr. Joan and John, lifelong partners, died within days of each other. This must double the grief of those who will forever miss them. Grief is the hardest thing I know.
Most of my memories of Joan revolve around Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. She was a welcoming, wonderful cook, a careful planner, and proud of her Irish heritage, as are we all. My cousins, Laura and Jack, are living...