Obituary of Joan (Murtagh) Hunt

Joan M.(Murtagh) Hunt, of Peabody, died peacefully on Tuesday evening at the Kaplan Family Hospice House surrounded by her family. Joan was the wife of the late James Hunt with whom she shared 46 years of marriage. Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late John and Winifred (Walsh) Murtagh. She was a life-long Peabody resident and attended St. John’s Grammar and High School. Joan was a graduate of Salem State College with a degree in Education. Upon graduation she taught at the Kiley Elementary School in Peabody before raising her four children. She later returned to teaching at St. John the Baptist Elementary School in Peabody where she taught until her retirement. Joan was a member of the L.A.O.H. Division 18 of Salem, a member of St. John’s Ladies Sodality, and was a lector for many years at St. John’s as recently as last October. Golfing, knitting and bowling were some of Joan’s favorite activities. Her family will always remember her as the “social director” making sure that extended family and friends remained close. She cherished her family and old friends and loved to visit with all of them. Joan is survived by her four children, Sharon Hunt of Swampscott, JoAnne Roden, Christopher Hunt, and Sheila Ryan and her husband David and their children, Kaleigh, Patrick and Ian, all of Peabody. She is also survived by her in laws, Carol Murtagh of Peabody, Ann and Jay Dunne of Salem, and Mary and Fred Hunt of Epping, NH. In addition, she leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished friends. She was predeceased by her brother John (Jack) Murtagh. Joan’s funeral will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 9:30 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St. Peabody, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM at St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church St. Peabody, to which family and friends are kindly invited. Burial will follow at St Mary’s Cemetery in Salem, MA. A visitation will be held Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Donations in Joan’s memory may be made to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St. Danvers, MA 01923, or to St. John the Baptist School, 19 Chestnut St., Peabody, MA 01960.