Rose Marie Murphy (née Brands), 88, passed away peacefully in the care of Commonwealth Senior Living home on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
She was born in Fontana, California, the only child of Clara and William Brands. She graduated from Fontana High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force. She was stationed in San Antonio, Texas where she met and married John Murphy in 1956.
Rose was a lifelong explorer at heart with a love of travel, learning, and a seemingly insatiable number of interests; you were as likely to find her reading the Liguorian as Ms. Magazine. She nourished her interests by devouring books, periodicals, and ambitiously returning to school. She was always expanding her horizons earning an Associate’s Degree from Thomas Nelson Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in education from Christopher Newport University all while raising her 6 children.
She volunteered at Forrest Elementary School as a library assistant in the 70s, acted as the schools Reading is Fundamental (RIF) organizer, and was a substitute teacher in the school system before giving this up to be a fulltime caregiver for her Mother. In addition to learning, faith and family were at her heart. She was a member of the Langley Air Force Base Catholic Community of Our Lady Queen of Peace, teaching CCD as well as serving as an RCIA sponsor and lector for masses. She was also a member of the Order of Carmelites at Mt. Carmel, supporter of the Poor Clares and California Missions, and a volunteer for the St Vincent De Paul Society soup kitchen.
Later in her life she put into action her dreams of exploring with trips to Turkey, Israel, and Jordan as well as taking numerous trips around the United States with her loving son, William always by her side. Rose was a loving mother and grandmother, devoted to her children and grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband of 40 years, John and survived by her children: William Murphy, Jeanette Cornwell (Ken), Claire Murphy, Paula Parslow (Leith), John Murphy (Anne), and Kathleen Murphy-Eberenz (Baron); grandchildren: Erin King, Eric Cornwell, Elizabeth Cornwell, Ellen Darling, Evelyn Studebaker, Kellen Murphy, and Shane Parslow; and great-grandchildren: Owen King, McKenna King, Madison Miller, Rosalyn Miller, Clara Cornwell, and Forest Studebaker.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at Bethel Manor Chapel, Our Lady Queen of Peace, 1793 First Street, Hampton, VA 23665. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to ARC of VA and/or the Lackey Clinic.
