Joan Blasdell Murphy

Joan Blasdell Murphy, age 86, of Warrensburg, NY, was called to heaven on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, in Syracuse, NY. She was born March 31, 1938, in Fort Ann, NY, the daughter of the late Elmer Jay and Gertrude (Needham) Blasdell. She was the youngest of 5 children, predeceased by her brothers Corliss, Walter and Arthur, and beloved sister, Jan. 

After graduating from Fort Ann High School, class of 1956, she met the love of her life, a handsome army soldier she would marry in June 1958. Married for over 66 years, Joan and Jim raised five children who would follow their example of love and commitment. Joan lived to see three more generations after her own children. Grandma Murphy’s greatest joy was her family, and she was always a never-ending source of baked treats and candy to her grandchildren.

Joan made lifelong friends in Thurman and Warrensburg, where for many years, she would visit with her neighbors as the proprietor of the family’s general stores, first the historic Kenyontown Trading Post, followed by the Jiffy Stop on Rt 418. She was a patient and kind homemaker who enjoyed preparing birthday and Sunday dinners for her family. She loved spending time with her family and friends and hosting family gatherings and holidays at their family home at The Glen. She enjoyed board games and card games, and in the later years she could be found reading books, playing bingo and doing word search puzzles on her Kindle. She found a home-away-from-home at Little York Lake, where she enjoyed summer celebrations and special times with old friends and new. 

In addition to her parents and siblings, Joan joins her firstborn son James and her granddaughters Kristin Joly and Renee Murphy in heaven. She is survived by her devoted husband, James; her children, John (Michelle) Murphy of Chestertown; Jan (Jeff) Joly of Rockingham, NC; Joanne (William) Zwerger of Camillus; and Jill (Kevin) Kuehner of Syracuse; her daughter-in-law, Joann Miner Murphy; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. She was blessed with 18 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren. 

The family will receive callers from 10:00 to 11:00 am on Monday, December 30, 2024, at Holy Cross Church, 4112 E. Genesee St., DeWitt. The funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 am. A spring burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Fort Edward, NY is planned.

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