FRIENDSHIP — Joan M. Murphy, 89, died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Friday, June 3, 2022 at Sussman Hospice House in Rockport. Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of Nelson and Marie King Lash. Moving to Maine as a young woman, she finished high school here, graduating from Waldoboro High School. On November 26, 1953 she married the love of her life, Gordon Murphy at her parents’ home in Friendship. For over 62 years they made their home together in Friendship.

A caregiver at heart, Joan devoted her life to raising her children and supporting her family. As her parents got older and needed care, she became a caregiver to them as well.

Joan had a deep faith in Jesus Christ. She was an active member of Grace Bible Fellowship where she held and attended many Bible Studies. She loved sharing the Gospel with others, and was blessed as those she ministered to came to Christ.

She was a talented crafter and enjoyed making beautiful flower arrangements. Cooking and entertaining were two of her favorite pastimes and she often mixed the two. Not a day went by that she didn’t have a kitchen full of friends, enjoying good conversation, a good cup of coffee and something to eat. Her children said she was the best cook and could make anything taste good. She never followed a recipe but knew the ingredients and made them work.

Joan loved her home town of Friendship but was comforted in her last days by the staff and her stay at Hodgdon Green in Damariscotta. She will be sadly missed by all who loved her.

Predeceased by her beloved husband Gordon Murphy, and a sister-in-law Sharon Lash; Joan is survived by her children, Peter Murphy and his wife Debora, Joy Sandblom and her husband Richard, Jonathan Murphy and his wife Julie, Karl Murphy and his wife April, all of Friendship; her grandchildren, Heather Murphy-Shipley and her husband Tobby, Matthew Sandblom and his fiancée Dominique Thibodeau, Abbi Harjula and her husband Erick, Jessica Tainter Murphy and her husband Caleb Tainter, Kathryn Havener and her husband Jim, J. Luke Murphy and his wife Cassie; her great-grandchildren, Julia Murphy, Ivan Murphy, Izabella Simmons, Kennedy Sandblom, Noah Harjula, Lily Harjula, Oliver Wotton, Jack Havener, Mary Havener, Moses Havener; her step-grandchildren, Amy Willett, Judy McNaughton, Will Hendron and Robert Murray; her brothers, Nelson ‘Sonny’ Lash and his wife Lorna of Friendship and David Lash of South Berwick.

A graveside celebration of life will be held Monday, June 27, 2022, at 1 p.m., at Harbor View Cemetery, Harbor Road, Friendship.

To share a memory or condolence with Joan’s family, please visit their Book of Memoires at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.