Rosalie and John Murphy; they were together to the end

Rosalie Kucharsey Murphy was 64; her husband, John J. Murphy, was 60. She died Saturday and he died Sunday at their home in West Chester. Both succumbed to complications from cancer. They had been married for 37 years; had a daughter, Renee; and operated a commercial cleaning service together for 32 years.

"They were never apart," John Murphy's sister Kathleen Henry said. They loved spending time at their vacation home in Avalon, N.J., Henry said, and annual vacations in Las Vegas. They went to see the shows, not to gamble, she said.

Rosalie Murphy was diagnosed with bile duct cancer 21/2 years ago and was bedridden for almost a year. Her husband retired from his job at Delta Elevator Services in 2006 to care for her.

In recent months, her condition seemed to improve, Henry said. Three weeks ago, John Murphy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

John Murphy graduated from Springfield High School in Delaware County and was a veteran of the Delaware National Guard. For 44 years, he was a member of Local 5 of the Elevator Constructors of Philadelphia. He and his wife operated J & R Janitorial until she became ill.

Rosalie Murphy grew up in Wilmington and graduated from Goldey Beacom College in Wilmington.

She and her husband met at a dance in Drexel Hill.

In addition to their daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are survived by Mr. Murphy's sisters Kathleen Henry, Nancy Murphy and Patricia Pepe.

A Funeral Mass will be at noon today at St. Mary Magdalen Roman Catholic Church, Sharpley Road and Concord Pike, Wilmington. Friends may call from 9:15 to 11:15 at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington. Entombment will be at Cathedral Cemetery, Wilmington.