SPRINGFIELD – Joan M. (Britt) Murray, 79, formerly of the Hungry Hill section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, March 23, 2023. She passed into Eternal Life surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving husband, Martin and her family. She was born in Springfield on May 9, 1943, a beloved daughter of the late John R. and Mary C. (O’Connell) Britt. She was raised in Springfield, graduated from the former Sacred Heart High School in Springfield and was a lifelong resident of Springfield before moving to Agawam in 2016. She was employed for 33 years with Ma Bell Telephone, which later became New England Telephone and later Verizon, in Springfield and retired as an Accounting Clerk. She was a former communicant of Our Lady of Hope Church and Mary, Mother of Hope Church and currently was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church, all in Springfield. She was a longtime volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in Springfield and enjoyed reading, traveling and dinners at the Student Prince in Springfield. For the past 20 years, Marty and Joan were members of the Majestic Theater in West Springfield where they rarely missed a performance. Above all, she loved spending time with her family and her many friends. She leaves her beloved husband and soul mate, Martin B. Murray, Jr. They were married on September 21, 1973 at Our Lady of Hope Church and were blessed with over 49 years of happiness together. She also leaves her dear brother, John R. “Jack” Britt and his wife, Diane, of Connecticut; her dear brother in law, Dr. Francis Murray and his wife, Marie, of Longmeadow; her two dear sisters in law, Mary E. “Mary Beth” Downey and Regina Downey and her husband, Henry, all of Springfield; her eleven cherished nephews and nieces; her many cherished grand nephews and grand nieces; and her many dear extended family members including her dear cousins, James and Anne-Marie O’Connell of Newton and their sons, Christopher and Charles O’Connell; and her many dear friends. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her five dear brothers in law, Michael Downey and John, David, Joseph and James Murray. Her family will receive friends at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 on Thursday, April 13, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Her Funeral will be held on Friday, April 14, 2023 beginning at the funeral home at 8:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. Her Entombment will follow the Mass in the Saint Michael the Archangel Mausoleum at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that memorial donations be made in her memory to Open Pantry Community Services, PO Box 5127, Springfield, MA 01101-5127 or the Ronald McDonald House, 34 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com