Kathleen Lorella Murphy

At this time, we would like to announce the departure of our beloved mother, grandmother, auntie, sister, cousin-sister, and dearest friend Kathleen (Kat) Lorella Murphy August 16, 1956 - October 24,2020 at the University of Utah.

Kathleen was born in Burley, Idaho to Dan and Isabelle Rosemond (Johnnie) Murphy. She was a woman of great wisdom, positivity, courage, and strength.

In a heroic leap of faith, she had made her journey from residing numerous years in Pocatello/Fort Hall, Idaho to Salt Lake City, Utah seeking education and opportunities. She had proudly served the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes working in the Tribal Utilities Department for many years where she had met many community members, rekindle friendships, and made new friends throughout her years.

A glance of her favorite past times, she attended college at BYU in Provo, Utah. Other past and present time she enjoyed pow-wows, cultural and ceremonial gatherings. She loved meeting people and lifelong friendships were developed. She loved and adored all of her friends. She was a devoted member of the LDS church where she had recently received her temple endowments and served as a piano player and other callings. She was a music lover. She played the guitar, piano, and she absolutely loved to sing to her beloved Stevie Nicks, church hymns, powwow, round dance, sundance songs, and various other genres. She enjoyed traveling by herself or with family or friend. She enjoyed Jane Austen novels and plethora of movies. She enjoyed witnessing the growth of her grandchildren; they were her world. She loved her family and cherished every moment. Most of all, she had compassion for all walks of life.

As she continued to live in Salt Lake City, Utah, she was employed by The Sacred Circle working in the Medical Record Department and very proud to be a notary. She served the Native American Community in the Salt Lake City and surrounding areas; but above all her she was of service to her Goshute people. Like her father, she had stepped up to lead numerous events in prayer. She loved to share her faith, spirituality, and the power of prayer. She loved serving people and sought great ways to gather family members or participating in events where food and company was enjoyed. Most of all, she loved to be needed.

She will be dearly missed by all of the lives she had touched within seconds, moments, to a lifetime with her smile, laughter, jokes, and anything she could share. The world will not be the same.

She loved to bead and sew however; since the COVID-19 pandemic she focused her attention to sewing masks. During the Labor Day weekend, she fulfilled a personal calling to travel to South Dakota. Along her way; she proudly shared her love of sewing by the masks she made along her journey.

She contracted the COVID-19 virus two and a half weeks ago; however she did not survive this illness. We strongly carry her message to wear mask and take the extra measures to be safe and care for ourselves and our families. Her life was precious here upon this earth and like so many others around the world; her life was shortened due to this virus.

Kathleen is survived by her daughter, Stevie Jean (Skyler) Lomahaftewa, Grandchildren Danella Rose Perry and Kobe Lewellyn Murphy; Brother, Amos (Helen Steele) Murphy, Sisters, Elvira Murphy, Diane Delgado, Debbie McCollum. She had numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents Dan and Isabelle (Johnnie) Murphy, brother, Gary (Crow) Bishop, sister Cheryl Lynn Murphy, daughter, Katie Rose Pete.

Her passing has left a huge hole in our hearts, but the memory of her warmth and strength will forever live on.