I moved to Galena from California in 1978 and have been a Realtor here for 29 years. I’ve enjoyed my career in Real Estate, especially making so many new friends. I love the Galena community and have been significantly involved through volunteer work, particularly with the Art & Recreation Center, teaching a senior exercise class for 40 years, being involved with the United Churches of Galena Food Pantry, and being on a committee contributing to the comprehensive city plan. Growing up, my family moved yearly, so I learned to value meeting new and diverse people. I spent several years in boarding schools graduating High School on Vancouver Island. I attended the Little College of Ibiza, Spain, then traveled throughout Europe and Morocco before returning to the States. My older daughter was born in San Francisco, and my younger one in Galena, where I now have strong roots, having lived here longer than anywhere else! My daughters and four grandchildren live in Florida and New Mexico.
My personal time is spent gem cutting, silversmithing, knitting, gardening, and working on my 1885 home on Park Ave. For many years I had a CFA-registered cattery,Galena Purrs, breeding Himalayan cats. My clients would joke, saying "If you buy a house from Joan Murray, you may also end up buying a cat."