Obituary of Joan Whalen Edwards

Joan Whalen Edwards, 89, of Lexington, MA, former wife of Robert Edwards of Arlington, VA and the late Hubert T. Murphy of Beverly, MA. Born in Toledo, OH, she was the daughter of the late William and Naomi (Couldwell) Whalen. She was raised and educated in Toledo graduating from Maumee Valley Country Day School in 1943. She continued her education at Connecticut College and received her BA degree in 1947. Joan's career spanned many decades and included social work, teaching, tutoring, public relations, real estate, theater, on air reporting as well as working as freelance writer and journalist. She filed many stories and articles in newspapers such as Toronto Globe and Mail and the Latin American Newsletter in Florida. Topics included trade, Latin American issues and politics. She is survived by her three daughters, Sara McReynolds of Beverly, Lauren Murphy of Waltham, and Janet Murphy of Arlington, VA; her beloved grandchildren Elizabeth Gordon, Andrew McReynolds, Claire Murphy Routh and Justin Silvestro; her great-granddaughter, Evangeline Murphy Routh; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Robert J. Whalen of Pompano Beach, FL. Family and friends will gather in her memory on Saturday at 1:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody MA 01960, with a service staring at 2:00 PM. Contributions may be made to Lahey Clinic in memory of Joan Edwards at www.lahey.philanthropy.org or follow this link to https://philanthropy.lahey.org/