MARILYN KAYE MURPHY

November 4, 1942 - November 2, 2021

Marilyn Kaye Murphy was born November 4, 1942, to James and Gladys O’Mara in Des Moines, Iowa. Marilyn passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s on November 2, 2021. Marilyn graduated in 1961 from Lincoln High School in Des Moines. She attended Drake University and worked as a secretary before marrying Leo Murphy on May 15, 1966. They called central Iowa home until 1983, when the family moved to Peoria, Arizona. In 1998, they moved to Prescott Valley and enjoyed living on their ranch with their horses. She was a proud mother to three children: Kyle (Debbie), Kara (Ross), and Kory. She was the perfect ‘Gwamma’ to eight grandchildren: Chelsea, Zachariah, Garrett (Sabrina), Ryan, Bailey (Nicholas), Colter, Kylie, and Kenzi. She enjoyed two great-grandchildren Jailynn and Mia, and was ‘Favorite Aunt Marilyn’ to dozens of nieces and nephews. For over 15 years, Marilyn would take the grandchildren (no parents allowed) for a week-long Camp Gwamma where she spoiled and loved her grandkids with crafts and games. Marilyn self-taught herself how to upholster furniture, quilt, crochet, and knit. Marilyn had her own upholstery business, won awards for crocheting, and made hundreds of breathtaking quilts. One of her most outstanding qualities was knowing when a friend needed support. Marilyn spent countless hours sitting with friends while their loved ones were in the hospital, volunteering for the Red Cross helping people after a disaster, and being a friend to young women who needed love and a role model. Marilyn was a dear wife, mother, servant of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and faithful friend whose humor will be dearly missed. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, James and Gladys, and her brother Jerry O’Mara.