Helen Joan Murphy

Helen Joan Murphy
Des Moines

Helen Joan Anderson Murphy, 79, passed away Monday, August 10, 2015 at Kavanagh on 56th in Des Moines. She was born March 5, 1936, in Des Moines, Iowa to Paul C. and Ruby Gayle (Burkes) Anderson. She attended East High School, graduating in 1954.

Joan enjoyed being a homemaker and an office worker in downtown Des Moines. She treasured lifetime friendships with schoolmates Bev Kiefer, Janet Card, Joanne Mahaffey, and others. She was a natural and creative gardener and interior designer, a doll house architect, and loved sharing poetry and her beautiful spirit in unique cards and letters to family and friends.

Joan is survived by her husband of 60 years, Merle Murphy; her son, Scott Murphy (Jacqueline Halbloom) of La Porte City, Iowa; her loving sister, Margaret (Bill) Dingeman of Des Moines; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three daughters, twins, Cynthia Diane and Linda Elaine and Sue Ann Murphy Pauley; sisters-in-law, Ann Crawford, Rosemary Astley, and Leona Dhainin; and brother-in-law, Jack Murphy.

Visitation will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., with memorial service to begin at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, August 13, 2015, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Private family burial will take place at Iowa Veteran Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a future designation.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Print