Joyce Alene Murphy

01/03/1936 - 09/23/2025

Joyce Alene (Young) Murphy of Pasadena, Maryland, was born in Nampa, Idaho, January 3, 1936, and joined the Lord, September 23, 2025.
A lifelong educator, Joyce liked to recall that she began her education journey as the only first grader in a one-room schoolhouse in Sumpter, Oregon. Soon after, her parents, Harold Cecil Young and Lela Nina (Boyd) Young moved to Baker, Oregon, where Joyce joined a public school first grade.
Years later, Joyce earned a master's degree at the University of Maryland, College Park and a doctorate there in Educational Administration and Supervision. After serving as a teacher, she worked as a program approval chief with the Maryland State Department of Education for 13 years. She then became a senior program officer with the U.S. Department of Education for 15 years, retiring in 2005. She also was on the education department faculty at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County for over 20 years, retiring in 2011.
Giving back to community was a passion of Joyce's. She became a volunteer at Partners In Care, Maryland, in 2010. There she transported seniors to appointments until she reached her own mid-80s. In 2013, Joyce received the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Inc. Award of Distinction in recognition of dedicated volunteer service to the citizens of Maryland. For several years, she participated in the "Walk to End Alzheimer's." Additionally, she served youth in Washington, DC through the CASA for Children of DC program.
In her spare time, Joyce loved participating in various activities including tai chi, biking, painting, and photography. She traveled extensively, visiting friends and family throughout the U.S. and many other countries. She also was a longtime member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bowie, Maryland.
Family and friends meant everything to Joyce. She is survived by her daughter, Lucinda "Cindy" Chagnon; son, Guy Murphy (Sandra Oliynyk); and brother, Larry Young. She was "Oma" to Donald Murphy (Emily), Kristina Murphy (Jason Fallock), Courtney Owen (Kyle), Aveline Murphy, Lucas Chagnon, Laura Nicodemus (Patrick), and Kayla Alvarado. And she was "GG" to Ayden, Riley, Finley, Callie, Parker, Captain, Teddy, Amelia, Justin, and Anthony.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Partners In Care (Anne Arundel), 8151-C Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122. A Celebration of Life, followed by lunch, will be held at 12 p.m., November 22, 2025, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Bowie, Maryland.