Joan Kearney

Joan Brophy Kearney, 84, of West Hartford, widow of Dr. Maurice W. Kearney, died peacefully Tuesday. Joan was born in Albany, NY and lived her early years in Dalton, MA, the daughter of David and Katherine Brophy. From her early days in the Berkshires she was known for her elegant style and zest for outdoor sports. She continued to golf, ski, hike, swim, and play tennis into her late 70s developing many enduring friendships has she walked miles in the West Hartford reservoir, skied with friends for decades, and swam in the Atlantic Ocean both off Cape Cod and Block Island. Joan moved to Hartford in her mid twenties, where she worked briefly at St Francis Hospital and graduated from St. Joseph?s College in West Hartford. Her enduring interest for learning and reading led her to take many graduate classes and she belonged to a number of book clubs, including her long time favorite, The Irish Literature Club. As the wife of Dr. Kearney, Joan was a lifetime member of St Francis Women?s Auxiliary where in the 1960s and early 1970s she chaired many charity events; later in life she was a hospice volunteer. She believed in a life of faith and was a devout daily communicant at St Peter Claver Catholic Church, West Hartford where she was a founding parishioner. Each day began with Mass and a brisk 5 mile walk. She traveled regularly abroad, first with her husband and later with family and friends. Her favorite places were Ireland, the Holy Land, California, Block Island, and Cape Cod. Over the last twenty years her greatest joy had been time with her grandchildren. Nothing compared with her love and devotion to their developing lives. She watched each game, attended many concerts, and saw every movie the children begged her to see. Joan will be sadly missed by her family and friends. In addition to her caring husband, Joan was predeceased by her beloved son, James M. Kearney of Avon, CT. She leaves her two daughters Maura Malliet of West Hartford and Catherine Kearney of Shrewsbury, MA, her daughter-in-law of twenty five years Lore Kearney, and her son-in-law Peter Malliet, who she had known since his youth. She leaves her two most cherished sisters, Katherine Kirchner of Hinsdale, MA and Patricia White of Harwichport, MA. Together, the three sisters spent days together traveling, shopping, and talking. They were the closest of friends. She is predeceased by her two kind brothers David Brophy of CA and Edward Brophy of MA. She leaves three great sisters in law, Arlene Kearney of Brunswick, ME and Elizabeth Kearney of Narragansett, Rhode Island, and Jean Brophy of Pittsfield, MA. She is also survived by seven beloved grandchildren, James Kearney, Matthew Kearney, Gregory Kearney, Hayley Kearney of Avon, Alan Rich of Worcester, MA, Jordan Kearney of Shrewsbury, MA, Katherine Curtin of West Hartford; and two wonderful step-grandchildren, Cassandra Malliet and Chris Malliet. She leaves many nieces, nephews, and god children all of whom added so much to her rich life. Her funeral will be held Saturday January 14 at 9:30 am from the Molloy Funeral Home 906 Farmington Ave. West Hartford with a celebration of her Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 am in St Peter Claver Church, Pleasant St, West Hartford. Calling hours will be Friday, January 13 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph College Alumni Fund, 1678 Asylum Ave, West Hartford, CT.

Joan Kearney

January 10, 2006