Joan Emily Stutz Brophy, 84, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at her home in Old Forge.
She was born on July 2, 1929 in Rochester, NY, a daughter of the late Joseph and Marian Stutz. She graduated from Nazareth Academy in Rochester and worked for several years at the distillation products plant of the Eastman Kodak Company. She married Joseph Brophy in 1952.
Joan worked for many years as Religious Education Coordinator, first at Holy Cross Church in Rochester and then at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Greece, NY.
She was active in church life, most notably serving as Rosary Society president and a member of the Parish Council at Holy Cross Church for several years.
She also served as a Eucharistic minister at Holy Cross and St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Old Forge.
Joe and Joan moved from Rochester to Old Forge permanently following their retirement in 1986 after having had a vacation home there for many years. She was a member of the Friends of the Old Forge Library and St. Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church.
Joan enjoyed life as a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her children and grandchildren brought her much joy. She loved to spend time with them and also with her good friends.
She was a voracious reader and loved animals, especially dogs and cats, and fostered that love in her children.
Joan was predeceased by her husband of almost 60 years, Joseph F. Brophy, and her grandson, Peter Brophy.
She is survived by three sons and three daughters and their spouses, John and Sue Brophy of Webster, NY, Mary Brophy-Moore and Robert Moore of Old Forge, Paul and Diane Brophy of Rush, NY, Joseph Brophy and Amy Bianchi of Rochester, Margaret and Charles LaPree of Royers-ford, PA, and Anne and Ken DeFilipps of Old Forge; eleven grandchildren, Betthany (Randy) Wharton of Schenectady, Matthew Brophy of Rochester, Aron Brophy of Montgomery Center, VT, Sara Moore Bourgeois of Boonville, Michael and Emily Brophy of Rochester, Katie Brophy of Baltimore, Caroline and Megan DeFilipps of Old Forge, Joseph and Sean LaPree of Royersford, PA, three great-grandchildren, Dylan, Ryan and Vivian Wharton, and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be on Thursday, July 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Homes, 128 Fern Ave., Old Forge.
A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, July 5 at 10 a.m. at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Old Forge. Inurnment will be in Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Home Aide Service of the Central Adiron-dacks (HASCA), P.O. Box 25, Old Forge, NY 13420 or Hospice & Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Messages of sympathy at www.dfwefh.com
