Joan Carroll Murphy

On Sunday, June 14th, 2026, at the age of 86, Joan died serenely in her sleep at Our Lady of Peace Hospice in St. Paul. At the end of a 2 year journey with brain cancer she was welcomed into the arms of the Lord and was reunited with loved ones and friends who had gone before her.

Joan committed her life to serving others. She was a self-taught pianist and later gave lessons to school-aged children. She was an organist in various churches for over 60 years, starting at Burkes Branch Baptist Church in rural Kentucky where she met and married a local farmboy named William Murphy. Joan’s spiritual life was central to who she was as a person, and as such she was active in many church endeavors, including helping to establish a women's Bible study group, CHARIS, while in her 70’s and sewing beautiful dresses for little girls in a mission school in Honduras, calling the dresses her butterflies.

When Joan was diagnosed with glioblastoma in April, 2024, she carried on the same philosophy she had already been living by: each day is a gift from God so live them to the fullest. She faced the inevitable changes to her health with a positive attitude that was undiminished by cancer. When asked about her ability to face the challenges of cancer with such a lightness of spirit she responded, “It’s the Lord; I’m not doing anything. I’m ready to go when he calls me.” Joan is now without pain, physical limitations and concerns about the future; she is the best version of herself as God intended.

Thank you to the many friends and family who prayed for Joan along her way. Words cannot adequately express the gratitude the Murphy family feels for all the encouragement and love you’ve showered on them; They feel blessed!

A special note of appreciation to the doctors, nurses, aides and hospice workers who provided care for Joan with a depth of heart and expertise that provided light in challenging times. Surely they are evidence that angels walk amongst us♥️

Joan is survived by her husband of 67 years, William; their three children (Mike, Mark, and Denise); three grandchildren (Amanda, Caitlin and Brianna) and 7 great grandchildren, ages 3 months to 11 years old. She loved being a grandmother and great grandmother and will no doubt be looking on with anticipation as her loved ones continue to grow, love and flourish on this good earth.

A celebration of life will be held for Joan at Cornerstone Church Crystal (5000 W. Broadway Ave., Mpls, MN 55429) on Wednesday, July 8th at 10:30 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. (Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.) More information will be published on the Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapels website at gearty-delmore.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent electronically to:

https://cornerstonecrys-tal.churchcenter.com/.giving/to/honduras-scholarship-fund

Gifts may also be mailed to the church’s address above. Checks should be made out to Cornerstone Church Crystal, with "honorarium for Joan” in the memo line.