Joan Murphy Stavola, age 86, passed away peacefully at home on December 5, 2019. She was born on October 13, 1933, daughter of the late Walter C. Murphy and Anna (Koperdak) Murphy. Before relocating to West Hartford in 2010, she was a longtime resident of Stratford and widow of the love of her life, Joseph M. Stavola, Jr. Prior to her retirement, Joan was the Legal/Administrative Assistant to the General Counsel of Warnaco Inc. Previously, she was a Vice President/Secretary of the Milford Lobster & Fish Pound, Inc., a privately owned family business. Joan was a 1951 graduate of Stratford High School and attended the Booth and Bayliss Business School. She was involved with the Stratford Sister Cities Exchange Program, served as Past President of the Chapel Street School and Flood Jr. High PTAs, and organized the first volunteer school library program for the Stratford junior and senior high schools. Joan served as a Housatonic Council Girl Scout Leader and member of the Board of Directors of the Beach Drive Condominium Association. She attended the Elmwood Community Church where she enjoyed volunteering for many activities. Joan was an avid reader, sports enthusiast, and fan of UConn men and women’s basketball and the NY Giants. She loved cooking and sharing meals with family and friends, and for many years enjoyed spending her winters in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Joan was an extremely giving, capable, highly organized person of integrity. In recent years, she faced a myriad of medical issues with courage, grace, a positive attitude and her wonderful sense of humor. She will be terribly missed. Survivors include three beloved daughters, Susan Crichton and husband Robert of Cazenovia, NY; Patricia McChristian and husband Jeffrey of West Hartford; Barbara Reale and husband James of Albuquerque, New Mexico; three grandchildren that she adored, Tyler McChristian (Liz), Erin McChristian Gary (Stephen) and Kyle Crichton; a sister-in-law, Joan Sambrook Murphy and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by Granddaughter Casey Crichton. There will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service celebrating Joan’s life will take place at the Elmwood Community Church in West Hartford on March 7, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Elmwood Community Church, 26 Newington Road, West Hartford, 06110. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com