Joan Lee Murphy

Joan Lee (Bowers) Murphy1931-2015 Joan Lee (Bowers) Murphy passed away peacefully September 25, 2015 surrounded by her family. She was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois the daughter of James F. and Helen Bowers. Joan graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Chicago and Maryville College in St. Louis, Missouri. She married Mr. Robert K. Murphy of Chicago in 1954, and they have lived in Houston since 1963. Joan is survived by her husband of sixty years, Bob Murphy, and their children; Mary Beth Murphy and husband Ralph Hasson of Austin Texas, Marilyn Carruthers and husband Jim of Richardson, Texas, Jim Murphy and wife Kathleen of Houston, Texas, Barbara Vanikiotis and husband John of Carrollton, Texas, and Kathleen Woodhouse and husband Don of Austin, Texas. She was proud of her nine grandchildren; Chris, Jonathan and Patrick Carruthers, Nick and Katie Vanikiotis, Robert and Pace Murphy, Benjamin and Emma Woodhouse, and her great-grandson James Carruthers. Service to the ministries of the Catholic Church was important to Joan. She gave countless volunteer hours to St Cecilia's Catholic Community, as well as several other Catholic outreach programs. Joan was a longtime volunteer at The Little Flower Thrift Shop, and was recently recognized for her service by Bishop McCarthy. Visitation will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home on Monday, September 28 at 5:00 p.m. with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Cecilia Catholic Church on Tuesday, September 29 at 10:00 a.m