Rosemary Murphey

Rosemary Murphey, 89, formerly of Fairview, died Thursday March 4, 2021, at her residence at St. Mary’s (Asbury Ridge) in Erie.

She was preceded in death by her husband Joe Murphey, who died just under three months ago, on December 12, 2020, and by an infant daughter, Carolyn Murphey.

Rosemary was born on October 26, 1931, in Pittsburgh, the daughter of Raymond G. and Kathryn Cassley Lacey. She was born with spina bifida and doctors feared she would never learn to walk. As an infant, Rosemary underwent a dangerous, but successful, experimental surgery and the condition never slowed her down again.

She grew up an only child in Crafton, just west of downtown Pittsburgh. She attended St. Philip School and Crafton High School, graduating in 1949. She then went to Duquesne University, where she was active in her sorority and followed Duquesne Dukes basketball with great enthusiasm. She earned a degree in Education and then taught elementary school and music in Pittsburgh.

Rosemary and Joe married in 1957, beginning a long and successful marriage. Joe’s employment took them from Pittsburgh to Baltimore to Irwin, PA, back to Baltimore to Staunton, VA, to Warren, PA, and finally to Fairview. Along the way they built a big and happy family, her greatest joy.  Rosemary ran the busy household and taught at St. Joseph School in Warren and worked in the library at Chestnut Elementary in Fairview.

Rosemary was blessed with a beautiful singing voice and had a passion for music. She sang in a choral group at Duquesne. She was a member of Holy Cross Church in Fairview for over 40 years, where she sang in the choir and was a cantor. She also sang with the Erie Philharmonic and at her parish churches in Warren and Bradenton, FL.

She was devoted to her family. She was a terrific mother and grandmother, always showing great interest in her children’s and grandchildren’s activities. Rosemary was a fine baker and always had a big supply of sweets on hand to spoil her grandchildren. She was well-read and closely followed current events and enjoyed sharing her advice and opinions with anyone within earshot.  

For over twenty years, Rosemary and Joe were snowbirds in Bradenton where they had a wonderful community of friends. They chose Bradenton because it is the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Rosemary and Joe were active members of the Pirates booster organization and were regulars at Pirate City. Rosemary inherited a great love of baseball and the Pirates from her father. She watched every televised Pirates game and kept the faith even through the team’s many struggles. 

Rosemary is survived by her daughter, Claudia (David) Ernst of Arlington VA and their sons Patrick (Colleen) Ernst, Allen Ernst and Bradley (Andrea) Ernst; her son Christopher (Beth) Murphey of Manchester TN and their children Kevin (Chelsea) Spence, Kortney Spence and Kristen Spence; her son Craig (Jill) Murphey of Fairview and their sons Charlie, Teddy, Harry and Archie; and her son Curt (Ellen) of Fairview and their sons Aidan, Corban and Ned. She is also survived by two great grandchildren, Brad and Andrea Ernst’s son Hudson and daughter Jane.

The family thanks our Fairview friends and the medical staff and caregivers at St. Mary’s, all of whom treated Rosemary with such kindness and patience in her last years. 

Friends may call at Holy Cross Church,7100 W. Ridge Rd, Fairview from 10-11 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2021, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a.m. with Reverend Thomas L. Tyler celebrant.  Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to the Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main St. Girard

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fairview School Foundation (Murphey Family Scholarship Fund), 7466 McCray Rd, Fairview, Pa. 16415.