Joan Cahill Stephens

     Joan Cahill Stephens departed peacefully on November 18, 2016 at Wilson Hospital after extended illness. She was 87 years old.  Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Marie Cahill; her son, Richard J. Stephens and, only three weeks earlier, by her husband, Richard G. Stephens.  She is survived by her sister, Marilyn Husar; her son, Jeffrey G. Stephens; her daughter, Mary Ann Stephens and son-in-law, Philip Grabowski and her three grandsons, Christian, Alex and Michael Grabowski.      Joan grew up in Oak Park, Illinois. She adored her life-long friends from Christ the King Elementary School and Trinity High School.  Joan attended Dominican University where she earned her undergraduate and teaching degrees.  She taught elementary school for a few years in Chicago; after she was married and taught briefly in the Binghamton school district, before starting her family.  Joan always enjoyed working for charitable causes, including Phelps Mansion’s Monday Afternoon Club, Binghamton General Hospital Auxiliary, and St. Mary’s soup kitchen.  She loved entertaining friends, playing a good game of bridge, and sailing on Cayuga Lake.      A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Reverend Monsignor Michael T. Meagher at  1:00 pm, Saturday, December 10, 2016 at Saints John and Andrew RC Church, 1163 Vestal Avenue, Binghamton.  Donations in Joan’s name may be made to the Cancer Research Institute at www.cancerresearch.org .  To forward condolences please visit www.demunn.com. Arrangements for the family are directed by the DeMunn Funeral Home.