Obituary for Irene Helen Murphey
Irene Helen Murphey (nee Goetzinger) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 11th. She was 96 years old. Born in Allegheny County she grew up in Etna, Pa and graduated from Shaler High School. She worked for Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation in Pittsburgh as a typist. In 1948 she moved with her beloved sister’s family to Wilmington, De and worked for the DuPont company. She married Alfred D. Murphey in 1951 and bought a house in Willow Run where she lived until 2018. She raised her two daughters while working as a waitress at various Wilmington restaurants including Remedio’s and The Columbus Inn and then doing office work for Caldwell Temporary Services. Irene was also a longtime member of Elsmere Presbyterian Church. After retiring she was very active at the Absalom Jones Senior Center before moving to Ingleside Retirement Apartments where she enjoyed chatting with the nice residents and staff. She looked forward to her many trips to the beach, Shady Maple and the casino with family and friends. She always had a sunny outlook and welcomed everyone she met as a new friend.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Alfred, in 1996, as well as her daughter, Patricia Ann Liotta, in 2004; her sister, Emma (Toots) Goetzinger Williams and her husband, Edward Williams; her brother, Henry (Hank) Goetzinger and his wife, Jean Goetzinger; her niece, Pamela Jean (Williams) Tracy; and nephew, E. Bruce Williams.
Irene is survived by her daughter, Susan (Murphey) Sokolowsky and her husband, David, of Downingtown, Pa.; son-in-law, Philip Liotta; 3 grandchildren, Philip Liotta and his wife Erica, Kathleen Sokolowsky and her partner Andrey, and Benjamin Sokolowsky; 4 great grandchildren, Derrick, Lance, Julian, and Peter; her nephew, Wayne Goetzinger; and many special friends and extended family members.
A graveside service and celebration of life will be held for Irene in June.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Absalom Jones Senior Center, 310 Kiamensi Rd, Wilmington, DE 19804, or a charity of your choice.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Alfred, in 1996, as well as her daughter, Patricia Ann Liotta, in 2004; her sister, Emma (Toots) Goetzinger Williams and her husband, Edward Williams; her brother, Henry (Hank) Goetzinger and his wife, Jean Goetzinger; her niece, Pamela Jean (Williams) Tracy; and nephew, E. Bruce Williams.
Irene is survived by her daughter, Susan (Murphey) Sokolowsky and her husband, David, of Downingtown, Pa.; son-in-law, Philip Liotta; 3 grandchildren, Philip Liotta and his wife Erica, Kathleen Sokolowsky and her partner Andrey, and Benjamin Sokolowsky; 4 great grandchildren, Derrick, Lance, Julian, and Peter; her nephew, Wayne Goetzinger; and many special friends and extended family members.
A graveside service and celebration of life will be held for Irene in June.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Absalom Jones Senior Center, 310 Kiamensi Rd, Wilmington, DE 19804, or a charity of your choice.