JOAN MARIE MURPHY

1935 - 2026

MURPHY, Joan Marie Age 90, of Hudson, Massachusetts, passed away Friday, January 9, 2026, she was the wife of Charles Murphy. Born October 27, 1935, in Lawrence, MA, she was the daughter of the late, William and Teresa (McMorrow) Donovan. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Merrimack College and became a science teacher in her early career. She then met her husband, Charles J. Murphy, and they married on April 30, 1960 and moved to Hudson, Massachusetts, where they raised their three daughters, Marybeth, Tara and Colleen. Joan had many interests while raising her young family, including bowling, card playing, puzzles, camping and girl scout leading. She later went back to work and had a successful career in the insurance industry, initially with Amica Insurance Company and then finishing her career at the Massachusetts Auto Rating Bureau. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling the world with her husband, children and grandchildren, they enjoyed trips to the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and she especially enjoyed many trips to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with friends and family. Besides her husband of sixty-five years, she leaves, two daughters, Tara Andrews (William) of Hudson, MA, Colleen Murphy-Lacroix (Raymond) of Mendon; a daughter-in-law, Karen Austin; six grandchildren, Katelyn Andrews, Catherine Dunleavey (Michael) Michael Andrews, Nicole Lacroix, Daniele Noke (Patrick); two great-grandchildren, Harper and Riley Dunleavey, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews. Hers was a life well-lived. She was predeceased by her six siblings, Mary Margaret McDonough, Geraldine Marie O'Connor, Rita Marion Donovan, Dorothy A. O'Connor, William D. Donovan and Carol Ann Driscoll. Visiting Hours will be held, Friday, January 30, 2026, from 11:00am-12:00 pm, at the Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home, 42 Congress Street, MILFORD, followed by a Funeral Service at 12:00 pm. Burial will be private. Her family plans to spread her ashes at the outer banks in North Carolina to be with her daughter, Marybeth T. Murphy, who predeceased her.

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