Joan Murphy Maechling Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Joan Murphy Maechling, 91, formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away surrounded by her family on August 1, 2022. Joan was born on August 9, 1930 in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Her parents were Irish immigrants who homesteaded and raised sheep near the California/Oregon border. Her childhood was loving but tumultuous, alternating between periods of relative stability and acute poverty. Joan graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Klamath Falls and from Mt. Saint Mary’s College in Los Angeles. She taught fifth grade for several years before becoming a stay-at-home mother for her three children. During this time, she earned a Master’s degree in Education from Xavier University in Cincinnati. When her children were older she returned to teaching fifth and sixth grade at St. Gertrude’s Catholic School in Madeira, Ohio. Later she founded Convention Recorders of Cincinnati, where she worked until her retirement. Joan married Phil Maechling in 1952. Their marriage was long and happy, the bedrock of Joan’s identity as a caring, loyal, and reliable woman. She created a stable and loving family with Phil, and felt deep satisfaction in this achievement. Joan was smart, strong and feisty. She brought good humor and grace to every situation. Along with her husband, Joan was dedicated to church and community service. She was an active volunteer at many non-profit organizations. Joan and Phil were founding members of Good Shepherd Parish in Cincinnati, as well as of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Naples, Florida. Joan assumed leadership positions in the CCD and RCIA programs of the parishes to which she belonged. She and Phil dedicated countless hours of service to the homeless and to immigrant communities. Joan is survived by her children Lisa (Mike) Debbeler, Phil (Nady) Maechling, and Anne (Chris) Blake, her grandchildren: Nellie, Monica, and Grace Debbeler; Jennings Sturgeon, Likha Poutsma, and Philip John Maechling; Peter, Sarah, Maggie, and Lilly Blake, and nine great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, August 6 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. Burial and graveside service will be held on Monday, August 8 at 10:00AM at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Ursuline Academy, 5535 Pfeiffer Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242 or Freedom House Detroit, 1777 N Rademacher St, Detroit, MI 48209. These organizations’ missions reflect Joan’s passion for education and for supporting immigrants and people living on the margins of society.

Joan Murphy Maechling

August 9, 1930 - August 1, 2022