Obituary of Joyce Murphy

Joyce Gallagher Murphy, 87, of Mt. Arlington passed away peacefully on Friday July 7, 2023 at Bristol Glen Assisted Living in Newton, NJ surrounded by her loving family.

Joyce was born on August 28, 1935 at Saint Michael's Hospital in Newark, NJ to the late John and Mary Gallagher. She was a very intelligent and educated woman. She was a graduate from St. Rose High School in Belmar, NJ. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Caldwell College in Caldwell, NJ where she earned the "Outstanding Catholic Youth" award given by the National Council of Catholic Youth. Joyce was among four from her college to be selected for the new edition of "Who's who in American Colleges and Universities." Joyce also earned a Master of Finance Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ.

While still in high school, Joyce worked for New Jersey Bell as a phone operator. Joyce always said the pay was so good, she continued to work throughout her college years to help fund her college education. After college, Joyce married the love of her life Art Murphy. She put his career ahead of her own and went on to raise their 5 children. Joyce was always active in her children's lives and in the community. She was a den mother, a girl scout leader, she started the "Welcome Wagon" program in her neighborhood to welcome all new families arriving there, she formed the women's bible study group, and she was very involved with her church. Eventually, Joyce returned to the workforce starting at Prudential Insurance Company, moving on to Warner-Lambert and finally becoming a realtor with her own brokerage license.

Joyce and Art loved to travel. They camped in all 48 states with their 5 children, only missing Alaska and Hawaii. Later in life Joyce and Art took cruises to both Alaska and Hawaii. They had to check off visiting all 50 states! They were "World Travelers," journeying to over 100 countries and voyaging on more than 70 cruises, and went on multiple African safaris where they toured the African plains in a hot air balloon to get the best views.

Joyce had wonderful memories of her childhood home in Avon by the Sea. It was a beautiful Victorian with a wraparound porch, 3 floors, and 13 magnificent bedrooms. Oh, how Joyce missed that house when they had to sell it!

Joyce was predeceased by her beloved husband Arthur Frederic Murphy who passed on November 19, 2018 and her daughter Jeaneen Joyce Murphy who passed on September 9, 2022.

Survivors include her children: Michael V Murphy and his wife Donna, Marc Murphy, Maureen Osborne and her Husband Gus, Marie Peterson and her husband Craig Sr., her grandchildren: Dr. Karey Ponist and her husband Marty, Ryan Murphy, Colleen Murphy, Danielle Barbera, Amanda Barbera, Jessica Peterson and her partner Armard Forbes, Craig Peterson Jr and his wife Ana, Richard Peterson and his partner Abigail Winter, and her great grandchildren: Landry Ponist, Emilia Ponist, Quinn Ponist, Logan Murphy and Mackenzie Murphy.

Joyce's Life Celebration will also be in remembrance of her late husband, Arthur, and her late daughter, Jeaneen, and will include a memorial Mass on September 6 (their 65th wedding anniversary), beginning at 10am at St. Therese Church, 151 Main Street Succasunna, NJ. Interment of cremated remains will follow. Please consider memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Association and/or the National MS Society.