Joanne Cecelia Murphy

Joanne C. Murphy, a devoted and faithful wife, mother, sister and friend, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2016 after a prolonged illness surrounded by her loving husband and family. She was born on June 13, 1933 in Spring Green, WI, the daughter of Hubert & Celia (Bindl) Neuheisel. She married Francis E. Murphy of Arena on October 16, 1954 in Spring Green.  Joanne graduated from Spring Green High School in 1951 and attended Madison Business College. After college she worked at The Hartford Insurance Company and later for Madison Metropolitan Schools (Jefferson Middle School, James Madison Memorial High School, Hamilton Middle School and Spring Harbor Middle School) where she served in the lunch program for 39 years.  Joanne is survived by her loving and faithful husband of 61 years, Francis, and their children, Dennis (Natalie) of Brooklyn, Mary (Robert) of Arena, James (Diana) of Cross Plains, Diane (Patrick) of Madison, Maureen (Michael) of Verona and Carol (Brian) of Madison. Also surviving are her siblings, Marita (Carl), Eugene (Delores), Leon (Madge), and Karen (Cyril); her uncle Alois Junior, her aunt Charlotte; 15 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends and classmates. She was preceded in death by her parents and many aunts and uncles.  Joanne enjoyed her family and friends to the utmost. She thrilled them with her baking and music and cared for everyone in her presence. She will be now be joining the other members of the Richland Center Ramblers, where there will be a Wing Ding goin' on forever more!  Joanne was a devoted servant finding joy in helping others at any opportunity. She was known for her presence at St. Thomas Aquinas where she & Francis attended daily mass. Joanne and Francis were also active with the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary for many years. She was a devout believer and follower of Christ, where her faith was forever strong and focused on the Lord. She led by example to pass this gift to her children. She brought smiles to everyone she met as her kindness was contagious and set an example for all of us. Francis taught Joanne to golf which added to fun with friends and family over the years.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 11 a.m. with Father Bart Timmerman presiding.  Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass on Tuesday.  Special thanks for the compassion and excellent attention provided by the staffs of Artisan Assisted Living & Memory Care and Agrace HospiceCare. Our family is most grateful to you and most especially to God for his abundant blessings brought to our lives by His faithful servant, Joanne. God will surely welcome her back home with open arms and announce an awesome job well done! Mom, you will always be the sunshine in our lives!