Joan Carol (Murray) de St. Aubin

Joan de St. Aubin, age 91, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on December 15, 2024, in Stillwater, MN. Joan was born on January 7, 1933, in Chicago, IL to Edwin and Helen Murray. She was the beloved wife of the late Arthur de St. Aubin. Their enduring love story began on September 11, 1954, and became an inspiration to their family and friends.

Joan’s educational journey started at St. Angela Grade School and Notre Dame High School in Chicago, where she developed a passion for drama. Joan later attended Siena Heights College, Adrian, MI, studying accounting. Her career began at General Motors as an accountant, then she devoted her time to her family raising and caring for their nine children.

As a young girl, Joan loved the outdoors, riding her family horse and sailing her sailboat on Lake Michigan. In her 40s she discovered a passion for golf, accomplishing the extraordinary of two holes-in-one over the years! She expressed her creativity through community education classes and pottery, embracing lifelong learning and encouraging the same for her children.

Joan loved adventure and travel, which she enjoyed with Arthur, family and friends. Whether exploring stateside or venturing overseas, she embraced the opportunity to connect with loved ones and create cherished memories. Her trips to Ireland and beyond were especially meaningful. A woman of steadfast faith and dedication, Joan generously gave her time to volunteer work, making a positive impact on her children’s and grandchildren’s schools in Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan and South Carolina, and at the Children’s Hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses in the Twin Cities and Detroit. She made a meaningful contribution to the Stillwater, MN, community by supporting students with disabilities, helping ensure their safe transportation to school and various programs.

A breast cancer survivor, Joan’s strength and resilience were hallmarks of her life. She loved her family unconditionally, always making her 9 children, 29 grandchildren and 59 great-grandchildren feel like the most important person in the room. Joan leaves behind a legacy of love, service and faith. Her absence will be deeply felt by all who knew her, but her memory will continue to inspire those she touched.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin Murray and Helen Murray; her devoted spouse, Arthur de St. Aubin; her daughter Margaret de St. Aubin; sister Jean (Ralph) Casciaro; grandson John Lentz, great-granddaughter Ella Zeigler; and son-in-law Patrick Mohlin.

She is survived by her children: Nannette Mohlin, Mary (Matt) Lentz, Bobby (Ann) de St. Aubin, Joanie de St. Aubin, Art (Jane) de St. Aubin, Ed (Mary Ann) de St. Aubin, Dan (Shelley) de St. Aubin, and Karen (Tom) Brozovich; as well as 28 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren, and brothers Dick Murray, Bob (Sarah) Murray, and Ken Murray.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Incarnation Church, 3817 Pleasant Ave S, Minneapolis, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at the church. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, give.cff.org, Harvest from the HEART (Minneapolis) www.harvestfromtheheart.org, and the Lupus Foundation of America, www.lupus.org.