ADRIAN, MICHIGAN—August 1, 2023—Sister Joan Murphy, formerly known as Sister Margaret Patrick, died on Friday, July 28, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 97 years of age and in the 77th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Joan was born in Highland Park, Michigan, to Patrick and Margaret (Hanlon) Murphy. She graduated from Highland Park High School in Highland Park and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, followed by a Master of Arts degree in English and a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy, both from University of Detroit (Detroit Mercy) in Detroit, Michigan.

Sister ministered for 30 years in elementary and secondary education in Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio; five years in pastoral ministry in Flint, Michigan, and Clarksville, Georgia; and 12 years in religious education in Arvada, Colorado; Scottsdale, Arizona; Palm Springs and Twentynine Palms, California; Griffin, Georgia, and Mobile, Alabama. In addition, Sister also served five years at Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, was a health care volunteer for 16 years in Lexington, Kentucky, and spent time volunteering in New Orleans in 2007 to assist in the area devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Sister became a resident at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2011.

Sister was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings: Patrick, John, Kathleen Craft, Margaret Costello, and Mary Wilson. She is survived by loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.