Catharine Ann "Kay" Morphy Kurz

Kay Morphy Kurz died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Kay was born in Clifton Springs, New York, on July 10, 1936, the daughter of Edwin Tyler Morphy and Mildred Rosamond Browne Morphy. She graduated from Nazareth College of Rochester and taught Mathematics at Brighton High School for two years before marrying Richard Karl Kurz in 1960. After moving to Urbana, Illinois for a year, Kay and Dick returned to Rochester to raise their family. Kay was a parishioner of Holy Name of Jesus and Peace of Christ parishes, where she was secretary of CCD, a member of Family Ed, and served on various social ministry committees. She championed human rights advocacy through Amnesty International and the empowerment of people with disabilities through United Cerebral Palsy and Ability Partners. Kay was active in the Nazareth University alumni network and supported multiple local charities.
Kay was predeceased by her husband Richard, sister Carolyn Bernice Banfield, brother Charles Edwin Morphy, niece Michelle Lee Davenport, son-in-law Daniel Gerard McCauley and grandson Sean Michael Williams.
Kay is survived by her daughters Ann Elizabeth Kurz, Carolyn Marie (Larry) Lathrop, Patricia Rose (Scott) Williams; sons, Mark Richard (Louise) Kurz, Karl Edwin Kurz; grandchildren Patrick Michael, Katharine Tyler and Connor Richard Lathrop, Daniel Joseph, Emma Catharine, Stephen Edward Kurz, and Matthew Richard Williams; and sister-in-law Denise Morphy, Clifton Springs, NY; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Family and friends may call Friday, November 14, 4-7 pm at the funeral chapel (2305 Monroe Ave). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, November 15, 10 am at St. John the Evangelist Church (553 Humboldt St). Private interment at Falls Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Kay's memory may be made to Ability Partners/CP Rochester, 3399 S. Winton Road, Rochester NY 14623.