Kathleen "Kitty" Murphy

1935 - 2026

Kathleen "Kitty" Murphy

February 27, 1935 - January 11, 2026

With joyful hearts and gentle tears, we celebrate the life of our loving and amazing Mother, who at the age of 90, has gone home to heaven-and into the loving arms of her husband once again. After 35 long years apart their eternal reunion has begun. Those who loved her find comfort in imagining the moment she saw his smile, heard his voice, and felt whole again.

Our mom, Kathleen, "Kitty", (Coyle) Murphy, peacefully passed away on Sunday, January 11th, surrounded by her family including numerous grandchildren.

Our Mom was born on February 27, 1935, in Spring Green, Wisc. to Martin and Marie Coyle. She treasured her childhood in Spring Green and many memories were made on the Loretta Ridge with her parents and her siblings, Bette, Mary, Pat, Sharon, and Colleen. Their childhood stories range from mischief to laughter, from adventure to kindness.

Our Mom flourished in high school and continued her studies at UW-Platteville and earned a teaching degree in 1956. In August of that same year she married the love of her life, Harlan Murphy. Soon after, she accepted a fourth-grade teaching position in Edgerton, prompting their move-where they planted roots and became lifelong residents.

Our Mom was kind and giving in every sense of the word. She gave her time and heart freely without hesitation. She found joy in making others feel seen, cared for, and loved by sending hand written notes, a simple compliment, or a chicken broccoli casserole.

Family and friends were the center of her world. She nurtured generations with love, faith, and guidance. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, the traditions she passed down, and the love she so generously shared.

Our Mom leaves behind four children, Shannon (Jeff) Updike, Tim (Jane) Murphy, Sheila (Bill) Fox, and Shaleen (Jay) Johnson who will forever carry her lessons, her laughter, and her legacy forward while missing her deeply. Mom also has 12 grandchildren, Marie (Josh) Nicholson, Anna (Matt) Pebbles, Jeffrey (Larissa) Updike, Brian Updike, Jessica Murphy (Mickey Bowman), Brian (Lisa) Murphy, Michael (Allison) Hesselman, James Fox, Jacob (Mariah) Fox, Marty Johnson, Kyle (Tonya) Johnson, and Brooks (Julia) Johnson. Mom's great-grandchildren, Mya, DJ, Adler, Clayton, Juniper, Louis, Isla, Maeve, McKenna, Kia, Declan, Harlan, Grayson, Jaren, Baylor, Vienna, and expected in May, Bennett, will be reminded of her kind spirit and love for life as we share memories and moments of her life with them.

Our Mom is also survived by her two sisters, Sharon Murphy and Colleen (Tom) Walsh; and brother and sisters-in-law, Sandy Coyle, Fran Murphy, Donna Murphy, Earl and Marie Murphy, Glady Smith, Janet Wetter, Mary Murphy, and Pat and Merl Leifker; and many nieces and nephews.

Our Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Harlan Murphy; her Mom and 'Daddy', Marie and Martin Coyle; her sisters, Bette (Rex) Boss, Mary (Gene) Wunnicke; her brother, Pat Coyle; brother and sisters-in-law, Wendell Murphy, Don (Marilyn) Murphy, Rosie (Bud) Olson, Joanne Murphy, Bob Murphy, Joe Smith, Stan Wetter, Jerry Murphy, and Tom Murphy.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Edgerton with burial to follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday at the Albrecht Funeral Home, Edgerton from 4 to 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until the start of services on Friday at the church. www.albrechtfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Edgerton Outreach, the Edgerton Care Center, or the Edgerton Hospital in honor of Kitty Murphy.

We would like to thank the Edgerton Care Center for their loving care of our Mom and the Bristol Hospice for their support.

May her memory be always treasured and may her vibrant Irish spirit live on forever.