Katherine E. Murphy

Katherine "Kassy" Elsie (Gumaer) Murphy, 86, of Silver Spring, MD, passed away Wednesday, 25 September 2013. Born in New York on December 14, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Peter Lawrence Gumaer and the late Carrie L (Messinger), both formerly of Poughkeepsie, NY, USA. Kassy graduated from Poughkeepsie High School and Potsdam State Teachers college and was a music teacher. She married William Lester Murphy on August 20, 1949, moving 7 times with his career from Rochester, NY, Dubois, PA, Pittsburgh, PA (3 times), San Francisco, CA, Dallas, TX, and Mission Viejo, CA. They retired in Granbury, TX, and Kassy relocated to Bowie, MD a few years after Bill's passing in 1995. Kassy had many hobbies, and music was always an important part of her life. While living in Rochester, she sang in a quartet called the "Sophisticats" with her former college roommates, and played the french horn in community bands. She was also an avid golfer and sports fan. Most importantly, she was a loving mother and grandmother, and a wonderful, caring friend to many. Her bright personality and smile will be missed. Kassy is survived by three children: Janice Murphy of Crofton, MD, James Murphy of Shoreham, VT, and Patrick Murphy of Sheldon, VT; six grand children: Erin Murphy Snedecor, and James Snedecor of Crofton, MD, Liam Murphy of Weybridge, VT, Thessalye [Murphy] Scheffey of Boyertown, PA, and Peter & Colleen Murphy of Sheldon, VT. Kassy was preceded in death by three siblings: Kenneth Gumaer of Albany, NY, and Donald R Gumaer and Geraldine [Gumaer] Mills - both of Poughkeepsie, NY. Services will be on Saturday, October 5th at 11:00 am at the Riderwood Community Chapel at Riderwood Village, 3140 Gracefield Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904, where she has lived for the past 2 years. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Riderwood Benevolent Care Fund: "Memorial for Katherine Murphy.", via the Riderwood Philanthropy Department, 3120 Gracefield Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904.