Joan Elizabeth Murphy

August 21, 1938 – November 30, 2023

VISITATION: Friday, December 15, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Heafey Hoffman Dworak Cutler, 7805 W. Center Rd., Omaha, NE.

FUNERAL SERVICE & RECEPTION: Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St Cecelia Cathedral, 701 N. 40th St., Omaha, NE.

BURIAL SERVICE: Saint Joseph Cemetery at East Pierce St. & McPherson Ave., Council Bluffs, IA.

Joan Elizabeth Murphy was born on August 21, 1938, in Omaha Nebraska to Clement and Erna Mannion. She was the eldest of three children. Joan attended Holy Angels parish and school in North Omaha. Afterwards, she attended Cathedral High School, graduating in 1956. She was the Vice-President and crowned May Queen of her senior class.

Joan graduated, with Honors, from Creighton University Saint Joseph’s School of Nursing, earning a registered nursing degree in 1960. That same year, she married Marine Lieutenant John R. Murphy of Omaha. Throughout the next 28 years, she placed her nursing career on hold to raise a family.

After her husband retired in Indianapolis, Joan went back to nursing. She started in occupational health for 10 years at Indiana Bell Phone Co., and then another 5 years with Indianapolis Power and Light Co. Upon moving to New Bern, NC, she worked for the National Health Care Co. in its flu clinic.

A natural athlete, Joan excelled at golf, becoming a six-time club champion at two golf clubs. She also loved to travel with her many friends.

Joan is preceded in death by parents Clem and Erna Mannion.

She is survived by her husband John of 63 years; her four children—Michael (Alexandria, VA), Maureen (Todd) White (Dallas, TX), Mark (Sarah Beth) of Greensboro, NC, and Kevin (Sarah) of Houston, TX; her grandchildren Nicholas, Megan, Katherine, Clare, Anna and Stella; brother Tim (Kathi) of Prior Lake, MN and sister Margaret (Harry) Forehand of Omaha; and nieces and nephews.