Joan Rita Canty Murphy of 40 Randall Street in Worcester, Massachusetts, died Tuesday evening August 26, 2025, with her husband by her side. Joan was 65.
She leaves her husband of 31 years, Donald Murphy, and two children, Maria and Anna, both of Worcester, MA.
Joan was predeceased by her father, Ambrose “Amby” Canty of Southbridge, Massachusetts and is survived by her mother, Mary Canty of Southbridge, and her six siblings: Ambrose “Amby” Canty Jr. and his wife Sandra of Davenport, IA, Anne Canty of Port Orange, FL, Jane Gauthier and her husband Richard of Southbridge, Marylynne Deshaies and her husband Gerald of Sturbridge, John Canty and his wife Kimberly of Webster, and Kathryn Canty of Los Angeles, CA. She is also survived by her brother and sister in laws Dr. Bart and Dr. Anita Murphy of Princeton, MA., Dr. Owen and Maureen Murphy of Highland, CA. and Bryan Murphy of Seattle, WA and many nieces and nephews.
Joan attended Marianhill Central Catholic High School in Southbridge, Massachusetts and was the Valedictorian in her class, graduating in 1978. She graduated from Assumption College with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1982, Summa Cum Laude. She obtained her Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling in 1983 from Assumption College.
In her youth, Joan had a zest for life and enjoyed gathering with family and friends, laughing, playing cards and dancing. She was the life of the party. She played varsity basketball and softball in high school and loved playing summer league basketball on the same team as her sisters and cousins.
After college, Joan worked as a social worker and rehabilitation counselor for many years helping out many families and children in crisis in such organizations as DSS, DYS and MCWC. When she was not working she enjoyed swimming especially with her children.
Above all, the one thing that most defined Joan was her Catholic faith in God and love of prayer and the spiritual life. She was one of the co-founders of St. George’s perpetual Eucharistic adoration chapel which lasted for almost 25 years. She loved going to Mass daily and praying for all souls.
Despite being diagnosed with MS for over 20 years and the suffering that occurred with it, she lovingly raised two daughters while being a devoted and faithful wife. She saw it as an act of love for God to offer her suffering to Him.
She died in the love, grace and peace of God.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025 from 9:00am-11:00am at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, 23 Fales Street, Worcester. A funeral mass will follow at 11:00 am in the church. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery in Worcester. Nordgen Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to the Joan Murphy Memorial Fund to cover medical costs which can be reached here:
(Please copy the link below into a search browser)
https://www.gofundme.com/f/joan-murphy-memorial-fund/cl/o
We also are requesting that donations be made to Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Worcester which has been so good to the family.
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