Kathryn Diane (Ziehe) Murphey

Kathryn Diane Ziehe was born on June 26,1956 in Dallas, Tx to Robert Carl Ziehe and Lois “Elaine” Anderson Ziehe. After bravely fighting a lengthy illness, she passed away peacefully in Whitney, Tx on March 30, 2023, at the age of 66, surrounded by close friends and her husband David Murphey.

The Ziehe family lived in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas where Kathy graduated from Justin F. Kimball High School in 1974. She earned a degree from the University of Texas at Austin and spent her career teaching at Duncanville High School for 27 years where she was greatly admired and respected by administrators, teachers, staff, and her students.  Kathy was honored as Duncanville High School’s Teacher of the Year in 1999-2000 and 2003-2004. She was honored as “Who’s Who of American Teachers” multiple years for excellence and dedication, as recognized by her former students. Kathy passionately served in many extracurricular roles throughout her years at DHS, including cheerleader sponsor, Senior Class Sponsor, Graduation Organizer and Sponsor, and helped organize and chaperone numerous student trips to Washington, D.C. and European countries.

Kathy and her late husband Loyd Richey lived in Cedar Hill for many years before retiring to White Bluff at Lake Whitney, Tx. They were active members of the All Saints Episcopal Church in Cedar Hill where Kathy served on the Altar Guild and enjoyed playing in the Bell Choir.

After retirement, Kathy remained very active doing things she loved including, traveling, Lake Whitney Garden Club, Duplicate Divas Bridge Club, Zingers Bridge Club, Women Travel Group, White Bluff Chapel Bell Choir, Lucky Ladies Investment Club, W5’s Wine Ladies, Lake Whitney Ministrial Alliance, Angel Christmas Trees, visiting Major League Baseball parks, and various other activities.  Kathy also loved spending time with a special group of cherished girlfriends called “YeeHaws”. Kathy’s friends became a part of her extended family, and her welcoming and generous heart enriched the lives of all those who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Loyd Richey, sister “Beth” Lynn Ziehe of Chicago, and brother Gary Ziehe of Albuquerque.

After losing her first husband, she reconnected and married her high school flame David Murphey. Along with David, she is also survived by beloved nephews Wyatt and Warren Ziehe of Albuquerque; sister-in-laws Anne Kathryn Ziehe of Albuquerque and Ruth Richey Maddux of Whitney; stepdaughters Mindy Hazen of Whitney and Danielle Murphey of Austin; step grandchildren Maddy Hazen, Talon Moore, Johnny Vela, Trevor Dickens, Zoe Vela; Uncle Ted Ziehe and wife Velma of Austin, plus many cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held June 5, 2023 at 10:00 am,  at the White Bluff Chapel 1072 White Bluff Dr Whitney, TX 76692. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requested that memorials be made in Kathy’s name to Lake Whitney Ministerial Alliance, White Bluff Chapel in Whitney, or a charity of choice. 

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