Acton/Northborough

MURPHY, Joan Blair (Gillis)

Joan Blair Murphy, the beloved wife of Patrick Murphy and the cherished only child of Harold DeBlois Gillis and Gladys Webster Gillis, late of Somerville, passed away Wednesday, October 8, 2014, at Coleman House in Northborough. She was 83. She was a long time resident of Sudbury before moving to Acton in 1993.

Brought up in Somerville, Joan attended Grace Baptist Church and was a graduate of Somerville High Class of 1948 and the Katherine Dell School. Joan worked at the Boston Post, married Murray Blair and they had three children: Susan Sartori and her husband Thomas of Northborough, Scott Blair and his wife June of Hingham, and Reid Blair and his wife MaryBeth of Southborough.

Growing up, Joan spent many summers in Nova Scotia visiting her grandfather and in later years traveled extensively in Europe. But there was nothing she enjoyed more than time spent with her grandchildren. Joan loved watching Mark Sartori play soccer, seeing Lis Sartori's art on display, applauding Chloe Blair's performance in The Nutcracker, cheering Megan Blair as her horse cleared jump after jump, and seeing Laura receive her "White Coat" when she entered medical school.

After retiring from Digital Equipment Corporation, she married Patrick Murphy and gained the love of Pat's children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family is grateful for the loving care Joan received from everyone at Coleman House. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Resident Activities Fund at Coleman House,112 West Main St. Northborough, MA 01532.