was born Aug. 29, 1949, in Saginaw, MI, and passed away peacefully on Oct. 9, 2026, in Lancaster, NY. Kathy attended St. Michael’s Lutheran School in Richville, MI, and graduated from Reese High School in 1967, where she participated in band and debate. She received a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Vermont, Burlington, and completed a post-doc at RPI in Troy, NY. She was a Professor of Chemistry at Daemen University, Amherst, NY, for more than 40 years.
She met her husband, Dr. Robert Murphy, in Burlington and they were married on January 17, 1976. Their daughter, Jennifer Murphy, born Dec. 26, 1979, was the light of their lives. Throughout her career, Kathy continued to expand her scientific knowledge and served as Chair of her department. She spent a year as a visiting professor at Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland, and published a university textbook in her field that is still in use. Kathy received the President’s Award for Outstanding Faculty Member in 1989. Over the years, she taught and mentored hundreds of students, leaving a lasting legacy.
In addition to teaching, Kathy most enjoyed gardening, reading, and watching international murder mystery shows. She spent many hours doing puzzles and playing board games with family, especially her beloved nephews and nieces. Kathy was devoted to her family, with whom she remained very close and will be greatly missed. She is survived by daughter Jennifer Murphy, her sisters Ellen VanWormer, Karen Rose, Jayne Kruska, and Cynthia Weber, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Robert Murphy, sister Janice Winton, and brother Ron Weber. A celebration of life will be held at Perna, Dengler, Roberts Funeral Home, Williamsville, on Nov. 6, 2026, 3-7pm, service at 6:30pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Reading is Fundamental (rif.org).
