S Joanne M. (Murphy) Loftus

WORCESTER/HOLDEN - Joanne M. (Murphy) Loftus, 81, of Briarwood Circle, formerly of Holden, passed away peacefully at home, on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, under the loving care of her family and UMass Memorial Hospice following an illness. Her beloved husband of 57 years, Kenneth J. Loftus, died in 2007.

Joanne is survived by seven sons, Rev. Kenneth G. Loftus, S.J. of Chestnut Hill, John J. Loftus and his wife Laura of Salem, NH, Thomas J. Loftus and his wife Michele of Newton, Rev. Robert A. Loftus of Fitchburg, Michael J. Loftus and his wife Pamela of Clifton Park, NJ, Timothy F. Loftus and his wife Karen of Scituate, and Richard E. Loftus and his wife Mary of Holden; three daughters, Anne M. Demerjian and her husband Paul of Cary, NC, Kathryn M. Slattery and her husband Robert of Old Orchard Beach, ME, and Joanna M. Loftus and her friend Joseph Griffin of Worcester; 19 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.

She was predeceased in death by her parents and her brother, Thomas V. Murphy. The daughter of James H. and Mary T. (Murray) Murphy, she was born in Cambridge on May 16, 1929 and graduated Salutatorian from Mount St. Joseph Academy in Brighton. While attending Boston College, she met and later married her husband, Kenneth J. Loftus. Together, they lovingly raised their ten children and lived in Burgaw NC, Cambridge, Rutland VT, East Providence RI, and Belmont before moving to Holden in 1965, and moving to the Briarwood Community in 2005.

While working and raising her family, Joanne continued her education and graduated in 1975 Summa cum Laude from Worcester State College with a degree in English and in 1979 from Assumption College with a Master's Degree in Religious Education. Joanne worked as the Director of Religious Education at St. Mary's Church in Jefferson. In 1998 she was recognized and received the Women of Excellence award from Mount St. Joseph's Academy.

Joanne was a member of St. Mary's Church in Jefferson and was a long time volunteer at the Refugee Apostolate in Worcester, and at Meals-on-Wheels Program at the Holden Senior Center. She enjoyed candlepin bowling, was an accomplished seamstress, enjoyed crossword puzzles, Jeopardy and was an avid reader. Joanne loved to entertain and spend time with her family. She was also known for maintaining lifelong friendships with her gentle nature and listening ear.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 13th at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. In celebration of Joanne's life, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday at St. Mary's Church, 114 Princeton St., Jefferson. Her sons, Rev. Robert A. Loftus and Rev. Kenneth G. Loftus, will concelebrate her funeral Mass. Interment will take place privately at New Calvary Cemetery, Mattapan. Honoring Joanne's wishes, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701, or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Massachusetts Chapter, 9 Erie Drive, Suite 101, Natick, MA 01760.

To share a memory or express a condolence please visit: www.milesfuneralhome.com