Concord

Joan Anne Murphy Purcell passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026, in Concord. She was reunited with many loved ones who had gone before her, including Joe, her beloved husband of 29 years, her sister Maureen and her brother Joe.

Joan was born in San Francisco, the youngest of three children of immigrant parents from County Cork, Ireland.

She was a devoted mother to Mike, Bill, Anne (Bob), Jim (Helen), Kathy, and Dan (Shelley), and a proud grandmother to Liam, Joseph, Owen, and Jack.

Joan brought joy and laughter to everyone around her.

She will always be remembered as the reigning champion of the annual Christmas jacks tournament, despite some good-natured controversies. She had boundless energy and dedication as a mother to six children and, for ten years, ran a daycare from her home caring for six additional children.

Joan began working for Wells Fargo Bank and was an avid traveller when she was younger. Later in life, after raising her family, Joan retrained and began a new career with the Mt. Diablo Unified School District as a Senior Clerk Typist in the Custodial Department. At her retirement, she was celebrated for her kindness, generosity, and support of her colleagues, many of whom were new to the country.

Joan took great comfort in her Catholic faith. She was an active member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Concord for 50 years and a dedicated volunteer for more than 20 years. She cherished her friendships and remained actively involved in the church’s Renew group.

Friends and family are invited to visit on Monday March 2, 2026 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, with the rosary at7 pm, at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday March 3 at 11:30 am at St. Bonaventure. Interment will immediately follow with a ceremony at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette.