The Murphy Family Memorial Bench

THE BENCH
The Murphy Family Memorial Bench
This bench was placed here in loving memory of our family members that have passed away in effort to tell their association with this beautiful place….and that they be remembered with love

Sarah Gallagher Murphy –

Sarah was born in Donegal Ireland on September 2nd ,1907 – Sarah dreamed of coming to America.She traveled to Philadelphia at age 21 years old on ship .She worked at Girard College married Martin Charles Murphy at age 23 and had 5 children .Charles ,James, John ( our Father ) ,Margaret and Huey . She worked at the Penrose Strawbridge House just up the drive from here -( now the Horsham preservation and Historic Association She managed the household for Mrs. Welsh Strawbridge from 1962 until she passed away on October 7th ,1991 .One of her favorite pastimes was watching wedding parties come to Graeme Park to have their pictures taken -Sarah was a devoted grandmother and mother she loved the Lord and attended Church daily always praying for those she loved .

John Thomas Murphy Sr.-

John was born on September 22nd 1937 John attended Upper Moreland High school where he played football . He worked as a volunteer fire fighter for the Second Alarmers. He married Florence Marie Murphy and had five children Florence ( Flossie) , Barbara, Margaret, Patricia and John Murphy Jr. John was a dedicated father and worked two jobs his entire life. He worked as a machinist and also worked on The Penrose Strawbridge Estate John also had his own landscaping business. John was a loving father and devoted husband with a fierce work ethic . He loved good music and taking Sunday drives with his family to explore the Philadelphia and Lancaster areas.John passed away on August 18th2009.

Florence Murphy – ( Flossie ) - Flossie was born September 5th 1959 – Raised in Philadelphia -She attended Morrison Elementary School then Olney Highschool – and Graduated from Hahnemann Nursing School College of Allied Health .She enjoyed a career of helping others for 22 years Flossie spent lots of time at the Strawbridges estate- She loved feeding Stump-The Horse apples and sugar cubes when she visited .FLOSSIE was a gentle and kindhearted soul and was always helping other people. Flossie passed away on August 4th 2002 Flossie was a devoted daughter and sister and a gentle soul with a big heart.

John Murphy Jr.-

John was born on February 24th 1970 He was raised in Philadelphia – John attended Wordsworth Academy – John had three children Allen ,Pricilla and Cassandra. He was a dedicated father who always put his children first .
John worked along side his father as a landscaper in their landscaping business. He also worked as a plumbers apprentice and as a construction foreman in masonry until he started his own construction business in 2020. John learned to ice skate on the little pond here at Graeme Park at the age of 4 years old and also worked at The Strawbridge Estate with his father as well . John was a devoted father -brother and son ,He loved his family more than anything in the world. John passed away on June 6th 2021.

Some of our best family memories were created here at Graeme Park and the Penrose Strawbridge House...

Back when life moved a bit slower and life at "The Farm" as we lovingly called it brought us closer as a family. Walking the fields-picking strawberries - petting the sheep and cows - feeding apples to a horse named Stump -
We loved feeding the ducks and the geese and listening to the roosters and chickens brought us happiness and delight . Watching a calf be born and greeting the new born sheep in Spring. Simply sitting on a stone wall talking or exploring the barn. Great memories -Good times....Murphy Family Love.
So feel free to sit a while and enjoy the sound of the waterfall....think about the history of this beautiful place .
Sit and enjoy the peace of this place and think of your own family -
Wishing you Peace and Gods Blessing - The Murphy Family