Lasting Memories

Joan Marie Meyn
Jan. 20, 1930-July 30, 2023
Palo Alto, California

Joan Marie Agnes Murphy Meyn was born in San Francisco to Agnes and Anthony Murphy on January 20, 1930. A 3rd generation San Franciscan, she graduated from Presentation High School and had many stories of her adventures there with her dear friends, Jeanne Major Murphy, Alice Marshall Ravano, and Rita Ross Cashman as well as tales of the nuns (think Trouble with Angels). At a YLI dance at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in 1952, she met her future husband, Hal (Buzz) Meyn. They were married at old St. Mary's church in SF on November 28, 1953. Soon after, they moved to Palo Alto where they started their family and she resided for the rest of her life. Four children - Laurie (Robert), Tim (Karla), Colleen (Dennis) and Peter (Cheryl) - were lucky to call her MOM! She had 8 grandchildren - Andrew (Ariel), Sierra (Troy), Blaire (Ben), Kady (Conner), Amanda (Steve), Olivia (Seth), Tessa, and Zach who lovingly called her Popo. And 3 great-grandchildren - Landon, Wyatt and Jackie.

Joan loved to travel and had many adventures with Jeanne Murphy, her cousin, Marcie Dugan and her sister, Marilyn McCarthy as well as with other friends over the years. Every summer she hosted “Camp Popo” for her grandkids – two at a time for a week of summer fun and life-long memories. After Hal's death in 1996, she was lucky enough to have another love in her life, Vic Befera of Palo Alto. They shared many wonderful years together – enjoying trips, theater, concerts and dinners over the years. She was active with St. Thomas Aquinas parish, loved Stanford football, the Giants, 49'ers, local theatre and music events, beach trips with the ‘beach ladies,” champagne, dressing up and ALL things Irish. She was a friend to all and one of the happiest and kindest people on earth - full of joie de vivre! After a near 2-year decline, she left us on Sunday, July 30th. She will be sorely missed - especially at all the holidays. Her favorites were Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day and always with a glass of the bubbly!

She was predeceased by her husband, Hal, her parents as well as her younger sister, Denise Drury Gaynor. In addition to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; she leaves her sister, Marilyn McCarthy; her stepsister, Roxanne Cullen; and many nieces and nephews and their families as well as Vic Befera and his family. Services will be held at a future date.