Obituary: Joan Bennett Murphy, 89, of Niantic

Joan Bennett Murphy, a longtime resident of Oak Grove Beach, passed peacefully on November 29, 2016.

Born January 26, 1927, in Steubenville, Ohio, she was the daughter of Roland and Eloise (Bailey) Bennett of Norwich, Connecticut. Joan graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1944. She attended the University of Connecticut, graduating in 1948 as one of few women at the time to major in zoology. After graduation, she served as a lab instructor at UConn. In 1949 she married William Patrick Murphy, also of Norwich, at Thomas Aquinas Church in Storrs.

A strong advocate of education, and known for her wonderful rapport with children, Joan taught fifth grade at Samuel Huntington School in Norwich. In 1953 the family moved to Norwalk where she was a Girl Scout leader and active in the American Association of University Women. When the Murphys moved to Massachusetts in 1960, Joan taught kindergarten and at Purpose Nursery School in Stoneham and Bill continued his career in the public schools.

Joan and Bill retired to Niantic, where her family has deep roots at Oak Grove Beach. A lifelong member of Niantic Bay Yacht Club, Joan grew up swimming and sailing. She always loved the beauty of the shore.

Joan's teaching experience made her a welcome volunteer at the Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut. She was a talented quiltmaker who took pleasure in creative crafts, antiques, and gardening. All who knew her appreciated her kind, happy, and generous spirit.

Most of all, Joan loved her family. She is survived by Bill, her husband of 67 years, and by her children: Tim Murphy and his wife Jeanne of North Carolina; Thene McIntire and her husband Greg of Connecticut and North Carolina; Jan Petersen and her husband Allen of Connecticut; and Meghan Nagle and her husband Marty, also of Connecticut. Joan was the proud grandmother of eight: Kate, Tim, and Bryce McIntire; Cora, Molly, and Bridget Nagle; and Erik and Abby Petersen. She also enjoyed her six great-grandchildren. Joan's only sister, Gay Reichart, passed away in March of 2016.

A private burial will take place in Norwich. Friends and family are invited to a reception on Sunday, December 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Niantic Bay Yacht Club, 8 Shore Road, Niantic.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Murphy Family Scholarship, Stoneham High School, 149 Franklin St, Stoneham, MA 02180. Please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence message for the Murphy family.