Thorne, Joan (Murphy), 82, January 6, 2015. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle, followed by a reception. A private graveside service will be held in the spring at St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery, Island Falls. Arrangements by Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.
PRESQUE ISLE – Joan Blanche Louise (Murphy) Thorne died peacefully with her children at her side on January 6, 2015, at the Presque Isle Nursing Home. She was born June 30, 1932, in Calais, the daughter of Clarence and Alice (Wahl) Murphy, Sr.
Joan grew up and graduated from the Washington County town of Woodland, where she was proud to be crowned Miss Woodland and Miss Labor Day back in 1948. She married the love of her life, the late Clement P. Thorne of Island Falls on October 20, 1951, and they eventually settled in Presque Isle where they raised their seven children. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and was dedicated to her family.
“Joanie” enjoyed life and will be fondly remembered for her love of cooking big, wonderful meals that always brought her large family back to her doorstep. Clem and Jo loved to spend time visiting with their many close friends. She enjoyed playing golf with her family and friends, both at their home in Island Falls and at their winter residence in Haines City, FL, where she and Clem spent over 25 winters in their retirement years.
Joan was a kind and gentle woman who loved to laugh and enjoyed being in nature and the outdoors. She spent many hours on her porch, watching hummingbirds and feeding peanuts to the little chipmunks that would come to visit her. She will be remembered for her fun-loving sense of humor and her “Pick yourself up and brush yourself off” attitude she lived and taught to her family.
Joan was predeceased by her devoted husband of 56 years, Clement Thorne; son, David Thorne; brother, Ernest Murphy; nephew, Barry Pulkkinen; and great-grandson, Hunter Twombly.
She is survived by her children, Linda Walton and her husband, Jeffery, of Presque Isle, Sandra (Thorne) Gendron of Portland, Thomas Thorne of Brewer, Pamela Thorne of Brewer, Debra (Thorne) Madore and her partner, Roland Guimond, of West Chapman, and James Thorne and his wife, Suzanne, of Carmel; brother, Clarence Murphy Jr. and his wife, Shirley, of Baileyville; sister-in-law, Barbara and her husband, Richard Pulkkinen, of Millinocket. Joan was “Nana” of 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and aunt to four nephews and three nieces.
The family wishes to thank all the staff at Presque Isle Nursing Home for all the caring support given to Joan.
A visitation will be held 11 a.m – noon for family and friends followed by a reception on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church Street, Presque Isle. A private graveside service will be held later in the spring at St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery in Island Falls. Donations may be made in her memory to Alzheimer’s Association, 383 US Route 1, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
