March 9, 1926 — Nov. 17, 2014

Joy Louise Murphy died on Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, at the Timbers of Cass County.

Joy’s life began on March 9th, 1926, in Niles, Michigan; the daughter of Milford and Nellie (Briggs) Peters. Joy came from a large family of 8 sisters and two brothers. Joy graduated from Niles High School in 1944. She married Vern Murphy on Sept. 24th, 1945 at her grandparent’s home in Niles, Michigan. Together they raised four children.

In 1951 they started a florist business on Lowe Street in Dowagiac and then in 1957 moved the location of Murphy’s Flowers to Prairie Ronde St. She retired from the floral business in 1978 when she passed along the business to her son and daughter-in-law, Pat and Patricia Murphy.

Joy loved spending time with her family where her home was always the gathering place at holidays and special occasions. She enjoyed square dancing with her husband and they loved to travel and see the sights. After retiring, they enjoyed a wonderful trip to Europe. Joy was very artistic with not only her floral arrangements but loved painting, drawing, crafts and collecting Hummel characters. One interesting fact about Joy was that she never had a driver’s license. Her husband, Vern, always drove her to her destinations, wherever they might be. As she spent her final year at The Timbers, she was always so kind to everyone there. All of the staff had a special place in their hearts for Joy and they all made it a point to stop in her room each day to say, “hello.”

Joy is survived by her four children; Sandra (Dean) Claborn of Dowagiac, Donna (Kirk) Proshwitz of Dowagiac, George (Marty) Murphy of Newago, and Patrick (Patricia) Murphy of Dowagiac. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her husband and parents, 8 sisters and two brothers.

Visitation will be held at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services on Thursday evening, November 20th from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Service will be Friday morning, November 21st at 10 a.m. with Reverend Carlton Kelley of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Dowagiac officiating. She will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac. A luncheon will be served at the Dowagiac Elks Club immediately following burial. Memorials in her honor may be made to the Great Lakes Hospice. Please take an opportunity to sign her guestbook and leave a condolence or memory of Joy at www.clarkch.com.