Katherine "Kay" Louise Murphy

Katherine “Kay” Louise Murphy, age 77, was transplanted into God’s Heavenly Garden on April 29, 2023 from Barberton Hospital. Kay was born and raised in the area, worshipping at Park United Methodist Church from the time she was a small child. As an adult, she worked on the maternity ward at Barberton Hospital, serving her community for 37 years, where her nieces and goddaughter were born. 

Kay is preceded by her parents, Theodore and Bernice Gilbert; and her brother, Richard “Spanky” Gilbert.

She is survived by her husband, Kenneth “Kenny” Murphy; nieces, Tracy (fiancé, Todd Lampe) Madajewski; Joey (Tom) Wright, great-nieces and great-nephews, Spencer (Victoria) Wright, Allie (fiancé, Carmine Mangifesta) Wright, Mary Wright, Joseph (Destiny) Wright, Teresa, Michael, Rosie and Thomas Wright; great-great-niece and great-great-nephews, Max, Nate, Emma and Easton Wright; and her goddaughter, Krista Neitz.

Kay was known for her kindness, generosity and service toward others. She was witty and had a great sense of humor to boot. She loved all things Hallmark, Ohio State Buckeyes, and butterflies. She went out of her way to make people feel treasured. She was known as the “Hallmark Aunt” to her great nieces and nephews and found great joy in lifting people’s spirits with a card, gift, or flowers. Oh, and there were always plenty of OSU t-shirts, hoodies and jammie pants to go around at Christmas (even if you were a Michigan fan - Gasp! [some sigh]). 

The funeral service will take place Friday, May 5, 2023 at 12pm at Park United Methodist Church (2308 24th St. SW, Akron, Ohio), with interment to follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Akron.

The family will receive friends Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 5-7pm at Cox-McNulty Funeral Home (222 Norton Ave. Barberton, Ohio), and at the church Friday at 11am until the service at 12pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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