Joan Murray O’Bryan, 89, beloved wife, mother and teacher, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025.

Born in Chicago in 1935 to Martin Patrick Murray and Margaret Corley Murray, she was raised a committed Catholic in that city’s Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. She graduated from Immaculata High School (Chicago) and the University of Michigan (BA, MA Education) where she met her husband Henry Miles O’Bryan, Jr. The couple married in 1961 and remained married and in love for over 50 years. During these years they resided in Plainfield, New Jersey, where they raised five children and were active in their community, including serving as foster parents for several children in the child welfare system.

As her children grew into adulthood Joan returned to school at Kean University, where she obtained her New Jersey teaching certification for math and then resumed her teaching career in the Rahway, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ Public High Schools, while also volunteer tutoring at the Plainfield Public Library. Joan later served as an adjunct professor at Kean and, after moving to Sarasota later in life to be closer to her twin sister Jean, she continued to volunteer tutor at the local high school. When not teaching, Joan enjoyed arts and crafts and spending time with her children and grandchildren, inspiring all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Predeceased by her husband Henry M. O’Bryan and sister Margaret Murray Tower, Joan is survived by her five children, Joseph (Gabriele) of Herndon, VA, Jean (Simon) of Philadelphia, PA, Martin (Rachel) of Denver, CO, John (Missy) of Glencoe, IL and Thomas (Gretchen) of Cranford, NJ; nine grandchildren, Joan, Patrick, Miles, Owen, Cleo, Hugh, Sofie, Tess and Maeve; great granddaughter Catherine Marie as well as her sister Jean Murray Crescenzo of Ashburn, VA.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff of West Falls Center and the Johnson Center at Falcon’s Landing for all they did to care for Joan at the end of her life.

A Visitation/Wake will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, May 15th at Adams Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in memory of Joan on Friday, May 16th, at 11:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, Potomac Falls, VA. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to EWTN or Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago. Joan’s interment will be on Monday, May 19th, at 10 a.m., at St Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, 1601 State St, Springfield, MA.