Joan E. (Murphy) Anderson, 88, of New Bedford, died on May 1, 2020, of natural causes at the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home. Her husband of 59 years, Albert F. Anderson, predeceased her on January 29, 2015.
Born in Lynn, MA, on June 1,1931 to Francis L. and Margaret M. (Walsh) Murphy, she is survived by her daughters, Katherine Andersen of Jersey City, NJ, Margaret Andersen of Jamaica Plain, MA, Joan Andersen and son-in-law Joseph McLaughlin of Middletown, RI; her sons, John Anderson and daughter-in-law Mary Ullrich Anderson of Cranston, RI, and Stephen Anderson, of Westport, MA. Stephen’s wife, the late Joanne McDonnell Anderson, was also her daughter-in-law. Additional survivors include her sister, Ann Marie Ladetto of South Dartmouth, MA, four grandchildren: Kayla Anderson, Evan Anderson, Colin Anderson and Anna McLaughlin, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joan graduated from Holy Family High School and went on to graduate from Saint Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing. She enjoyed a long career as a registered nurse, working at local hospitals and nursing homes, as well as on numerous private-duty cases.
She was a talented artist and exhibited with the Dartmouth Gallery, as well as the Bierstadt Art Society in New Bedford, where she was a member. She worked mainly in watercolor and paper collage, and every summer looked forward to attending painting workshops in Maine. Joan loved a quiet beach, stars, shades of blue, poetry, and good chocolate.
For those interested in making a donation in Joan’s memory, we suggest Community Nurse Home Care (Music Fund), 62 Center St., Fairhaven, MA 02719, whose staff provided her with excellent hospice care. The family would like to thank the staff of New Bedford Jewish Convalescence Home for the excellent care and compassion that they provided.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday August 15th at 9 AM at Saint Lawrence Church, 565 County St., New Bedford. A private family interment ceremony will follow at South Dartmouth Cemetery. All attendees are required to wear face coverings and practice social distancing. The attendance limit at church will be 95 persons. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.