George and Isobel Berry, neighborhood fixtures

 Devoted to each other since their teens and married for 68 years, George and Isobel Berry of Philadelphia's Burholme section were inseparable.

They died as they had lived - he on Sunday, Oct. 20, and she on Tuesday, Oct. 22 - not far from each other in the burn ward at Temple University Hospital.

The cause of death was smoke inhalation after an overnight fire Oct. 17 at their home. The cause of the fire was under investigation by the city Fire Marshal's Office.

"Their love for each other, their family and their friends was clear and abundant," the family said in a statement.

George, 89, and Isobel, 85, were neighborhood fixtures. They hosted legendary parties at their twin house in the 7400 block of Montour Street.

"Parking spaces grew scarce on the block, and a crowd of visitors appeared on their porch," their family said.

The couple had bought the brick twin a half-century ago with money saved from his job as a machinist at Crown Cork & Seal and her work as a cashier for Acme Supermarkets. It was a happy place, kept tidy with his handyman skills and embellished by her colorful, carefully tended gardens.

When the house wasn't teeming with children sliding down the carpeted steps or playing near the well-stocked toy box, the two would make things for them. She crocheted baby blankets, ponchos, and leg warmers. He made intricate doll houses.

In the summer, the couple would move to their house in Tuckerton, N.J., where they taught three generations of children to fish, crab, and dig up clams.

They watched as the children poked in the sand, took out George's rowboat, and helped escort turtle hatchlings to safe haven in the marshes.

In the evenings, everyone played games. The competitors played to win, and Isobel usually did. She celebrated with a glass of Paisano wine cut with water and garnished with a hunk of ginger.

When she couldn't play games in person, she'd challenge opponents online, juggling multiple games and posting the moves on Facebook, her family said.

The two were also enthusiastic travelers, taking in Mexico, Ireland, and other countries. They loved to take cruises to tropical locales.

They are survived by a son, George; a daughter, Isobel Culp; her sister, Rosemary Jensen; a nephew; 13 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Another daughter, Barbara Atkins, died earlier.

A visitation will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at David G. Richardson Funeral Home, 7450 Oxford Ave., Philadelphia. Services and burial are private.

Donations may be made to Gilda's Club of Delaware Valley, 200 Kirk Rd., Warminster, Pa. 18974, or the Fireman's Local Charitable Trust, 415 N. Fifth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19123.