Linda Kay Murphy

She was born in Gatesville, Texas on June 26, 1945 to U.S. Army Captain Edwin "Eddie" F. Sullivan and Margaret (Backstrom) Sullivan. Her father was stationed at nearby Fort Hood, Texas and at the end of World War II, the family returned to Rawlins, Wyoming, her mother's hometown, where her parents resided until Eddie's retirement. This small Wyoming town provided an environment of family, friends, community, and a strong foundation for her life to follow. Linda had two siblings, a sister, Patricia Ann, and a brother, John Michael.

After graduation from Rawlins High School in 1963, Linda entered Colorado State College (now known as the University of Northern Colorado) in Greeley, Colorado, where she completed her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education in 1967. Her first teaching assignment was in Belmont, California. The following year she was accepted by the Department of Defense to teach in their overseas teaching program for the children of the U.S. Military personnel stationed abroad (DODDS). After a one year assignment at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, Linda returned to Rawlins for her wedding to William "Bill" T. Murphy of Hemlock, Michigan. The couple then departed for what became a five-year adventure living, teaching, and traveling in Europe, residing in Nuremberg and Kaiserslautern, Germany. This experience was a most-treasured memory because even as a young child, Linda was always fascinated by other cultures and countries of the world.

After returning from overseas, Linda and Bill resided in Iona, Michigan for a short time. While there, Linda completed her Master's Degree in Library Science at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After moving to Colorado in 1976, Linda worked for 34 years for the Poudre School District in library media centers at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels, retiring in 2004. She always felt that her choice of a career in public education was a perfect fit for her personality and her deepest values in life.

She had an inquisitive mind and her wit and sense of humor touched the lives of all those she met. She always valued deep and long lasting friendships. In her later years, she faced many difficult health issues and was always willing to try for better outcomes.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin F. Sullivan and Margaret V. (Backstrom) Sullivan and one nephew, Joseph Bismack and a brother-in-law, John Bismack.

She is survived by her husband, William "Bill" T. Murphy of Fort Collins, Colorado, son, Ryan, daughter-in-law, Shelly, and their children Will, David, and Nora of Longmont, Colorado, daughter Megan, and her children, Kelsey and Kennedy Creager of Windsor, Colorado, and son-in-law, Lee Freeman, and his children Zach, Sarah, and Seth.

Also surviving are her sister, Pat Seals, and her husband Wink, of Buckeye, AZ, brother, Mike Sullivan of Loveland, Colorado, brother-in-law, Mike Murphy and his wife, Ruth, of Hemlock, Michigan, brother-in-law, John Murphy and his wife, Cathy, of Highland Heights, OH; brother-in-law Bob Murphy and his wife, Ann, of Saginaw, Michigan, sister-in-law, Marilyn Bismack of Minden City, Michigan; and 6 nieces and 5 nephews.

Cremation has taken place. Final arrangements have been made with Allnutt Funeral Service in Fort Collins, Colorado.

A memorial service will be held at Allnutt Funeral Service Drake Chapel at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 16, 2024: 650 West Drake Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80526. A catered luncheon will follow.

Linda's family would like to offer sincere thanks to the staff at Columbine Commons/Windsor for their many years of excellent care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Smith Agency, Inc. CEO: Bill Smith; 14394 East Evans Avenue, Aurora, CO 80014. These donations will go to a Linka Murphy Memorial Fund for Kennedy Creager.