Obituary of Rosemary Enright Murphy

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Rosemary Enright Murphy of Ashburn, Virginia. She died at the age of 77 on March 30th, 2023 at Reston Hospital. Rosemary passed away peacefully after a short battle with pancreatic cancer and a stroke. Per her wishes, she was cremated and will have her ashes scattered at a future date.

Rosemary was born in Philadelphia, PA on December 2nd, 1945. She was the fifth of seven children of Peter John Enright and Agnes Mary Flood Enright. Her siblings were Joan, Agnes Long, Joseph Flood, Thomas Enright, Carol Pasquarello, and Robert Enright. She married Richard Joseph Murphy, M.D. on November 15th, 1969 and had three children; Sean, Keith, and Ryan.

All of her education took place in Philadelphia, starting in West Catholic Girls’ High School where she earned a diploma in Science & Music, followed by a Nursing Diploma from Philadelphia General Hospital (PGH) School of Nursing. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Masters Degree in Gerontology & Health Administration at St. Joseph’s University. She was an incredibly smart and accomplished woman who did her B.S. and Masters while raising a family (and sometimes taking her kids to class with her). 

Rosemary volunteered for 20 years with the American Cancer Society (ACS) where she was known within Hahnemann Hospital as The Daffodil Lady for selling flowers to raise money for cancer research. ACS acknowledged her volunteer commitment with a Unit President’s Award, ACS Volunteer Achievement Award, and the ACS Volunteer Achievement Gold Award. 

She worked in many different roles within the medical field at Philadelphia General Hospital (PGH), Hahnemann Hospital, Allegheny Health - Education and Research Foundation, Westmoreland Place, Leeseberg and Valentine, KPMG Consulting, and Kaiser Permanente. 

She lived in Philadelphia, PA, Chillicothe, OH, Sterling, VA and Ashburn, VA.

Rosemary was predeceased by her sisters Joan, Ang, Carol and her husband James Pasquarello, as well as her brother Joey. She is survived by her husband, Richard Joseph Murphy, M.D., their children Sean, Keith, and Ryan; their spouses Conchi, Emily, and Katherine, and five grandchildren; Benjamin, Elle, Beckett, Hope, and Dylan, as well as her brothers Thomas Enright and his wife Sandy, Robert Enright and his wife Terri, and Agnes Long’s husband David Long. She has many nieces and nephews (and grandnieces and grandnephews); Jeffrey Long, Kenneth Long, Suzanne Long, Steven Long, Nina Flood, Stephan Flood, Christine Duncan, Scott Enright, Rob Enright, James Pasquarello, Mark Pasquarello, Maria Costello, Mathew Pasquarello, Joseph Pasquarello, and Anissa Lo Sasso. 

Rosemary had many nicknames over the years, lovingly given to her by different groups and generations: Derm, Dermidoor, Roe, Dee Dee, Enright, Mom, Mama Murphy, Commander, Mimi, and Mina. 

Each of her nieces and nephews were her “favorite” because she had enough love to encompass them all. She was everyone’s Mom, whether you were a niece, a nephew, or one of her children’s friends. Many considered her a second Mom. For some, they considered her their first Mom. When you came to the house, you were part of the family.

Boy, was she organized. Many will remember that when she was planning something, she would always create “The Grid.” Everything that needed to be done would be noted, and someone’s name would be marked down next to each task. She always looked to the future and planned for the good times and the bad. She even picked out the photo she wanted to use for this obituary, a glamour shot of our beautiful wife, mother, aunt, friend, woman.

She always took people under her wing and helped them out, especially at work. One of her friends remembered her as having “a wicked sense of humor and always keeping it classy.” This wonderfully captures her spirit and shows why her outgoing nature attracted and retained so many friends from wherever she lived and worked. She will be greatly missed. She would want each and every one reading this now to find a happy and/or funny memory of her to remember her and keep her in your heart. 

The Celebration of Life Ceremony for Rosemary Enright Murphy will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm.

Location: Adams Green Funeral Home Chapel

721 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia, United States

Directions: View Map 

Reception to follow the celebration of life and the location will be announced at that time.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the American Cancer Society.