Margaret Murphy

Margaret Louise Murphy (Yonke), 89, died peacefully on October 15, 2025 at the NorthCare Hospice House in North Kansas City, Missouri. Margaret was born on June 5, 1936 in Kansas City, Missouri to Leo and Margaret Yonke. She graduated from the Loretto Academy in 1954 and then went on to get a bachelor’s degree in education at Avila College. Margaret married Lawrence Murphy, a chemist, on December 27, 1957. She then completed her master’s degree in education at the University of Central Missouri. After graduating from college, Margaret began her career in the Kansas City Missouri Public School system. Then she made the move to the North Kansas City School District and started at Oakwood Manor Elementary School. She finished out her career at Gracemor Elementary School where she taught 5th and 3rd grades.

Margaret’s family remembers her as a kind, loving and generous person who enjoyed spending time with her family. She enjoyed hosting weekly family dinners on Sunday nights. Margaret loved spending time with her grandkids, especially on summer breaks. She spoiled them with fun outings and vacations. Margaret was accomplished at knitting and made socks to donate to those in need and for all family members. She enjoyed playing the piano and teaching her grandchildren to play also. She also played the dulcimer and was proud to take it to school and play music for the kids and also traveled with a dulcimer group to play at old time festivals. Margaret was an avid crossword puzzle worker. She did enjoy an occasional glass of wine and loved going out to eat with anyone that would take her.

She was a devoted member of the St. Gabriel Catholic Church for over 50 years and volunteered at the school after her retirement. She was passionate about supporting her fellow teachers and making sure her students were successful. She volunteered to teach English as a second language in her spare time. Margaret also volunteered at a Catholic thrift store. She has continued to stay in touch with all of her former teacher friends to reminisce about their teaching journeys. Margaret has resided for the past 10 years at Linden Woods Village and has made a lot of good friends and enjoyed weekly social hours and bingo.

Margaret is preceded in death by her husband Lawrence Murphy and her parents Leo and Margaret Yonke.

Margaret is survived by her sons Larry Murphy (Treva) and Mark Murphy; her daughter-in-law Jane Murphy; her grandchildren Katie Brainard, Joey Murphy (Angie), Christopher Krueger Murphy (Kyle), and Sean Murphy (Kayla); her great grandchildren Tyler and Max Brainard; her siblings Anna Azar and Louis “Buddy” Yonke.

Services will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025 at White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119. Visitation at 10 AM, funeral service at 11 AM. Burial will take place at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO 64138.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to NorthCare Hospice House, 2800 Clay Edwards Dr, North Kansas City, MO 64116. Donations can also be made online at https://kchospice.org/donate/