On time for 28 years

For Marge Murphy, delivering newspapers for the past 28 years wasn’t just a job; it was a responsibility she took seriously and an opportunity for some quiet reflection.

Murphy, who delivered the Charlotte Observer, Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today Sharon Towers and the Chalcombe Court Condominiums off of Sharon Road, first began her route after her son, Mike, gave it up.

At first, she thought she’d just do it temporarily, but she never stopped.

In fact, Murphy, who is now 79, said she wanted to wait until age 80 to retire, but is doing so a little earlier due to health reasons.

Over the years, she walked most of the route, saying it was good for her health. Sometimes, two women that lived at Sharon Towers would come out and walk with her.

“I really enjoyed the exercise and the quiet,” said Murphy.

On Sundays, she could deliver as many as 240 papers.

Although she delivered the papers too early to meet most of her customers face-to-face, minus a few early risers, Murphy said her customers were wonderful people.

And her customers, particularly the residents at Sharon Towers, feel the same way about her. So much so, that they organized a retirement party for her on Jan. 29.

“When they called and told me [about the party], I just cried,” said Murphy. “I was so surprised; it is so nice of them.”

John Offerdahl, a resident of Sharon Towers for nine years, said Murphy’s dedication to the job was evident.

“She did an outstanding job, with a touch of class,” said Offerdahl. He explained that not only would his paper be waiting for him right in front of his door, but it was always lying parallel to the door, with the front page facing him.

“You don’t find anyone that does that with your paper,” said Offerdahl. “She was always early too; I can’t remember a time when it was late.”

Emily Booth, who has lived in one of the cottages at Sharon Towers for 13 years, said Murphy was wonderful.

“She would call [to check on you] if she saw that your papers were piled up,” said Booth. “She went way above the call of duty.”

Price Gwynn, another long-time resident, shares that sentiment.

“She’s a great gal, faithful. She was always on time and your paper was always exactly in place, facing you in the middle of the mat,” Gwynn said.

Offerdahl came up with the idea of a retirement party for Murphy, although he said he’s sure he was just two minutes ahead of the others doing the same thing.

“It [was] hard walking in there, I’m a quiet person,” said Murphy, about the party, who attended with members of her family and her pastor. “But it is wonderful. I really appreciate it.”