Kay Marlene Murphy

Kay Marlene Murphy, 90, of Davenport, passed away on April 13, 2026, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, with her beloved children by her side.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home in Davenport. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Rock Island following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to King’s Harvest Pet Rescue or the Geneseo Animal Rescue.

Born July 25, 1935, in Peoria, Illinois, Kay was the daughter of Clarence "Bus" and Stella (Bloomquist) Iglehart. A graduate of Northwestern University with a Bachelor’s degree in Teaching, she began her professional journey as a substitute teacher in the Rock Island School District. Following this, she dedicated the remainder of her career to supporting at-risk youth at the 2001 School.

Kay married Hayes C. Murphy in 1957; he preceded her in death in 1981. She later shared 40 wonderful years with Robert A. Kirk until his passing in 2023.

A woman of vibrant passions, Kay was a devoted gardener and a mainstay in the local Hosta and Iris clubs. She took great joy in participating in community garden walks and was a dedicated member of her Questers group, where she shared her love for antiques. When she wasn't tending to her flowers or her beloved cats, Kay was a passionate sports fan, always cheering on her Iowa Hawkeyes.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Bus and Stella, and her husbands, Hayes and Robert.

She is survived by her children: Shannon (Chuck) Malmstrom and their children, Jennifer (Justin) Myers and Ian, and their grandchildren William and Emily; Hayes Timothy (Carmen) Murphy and their children, Jessi, Sarah, and Maddie; and Terence (Erin) Murphy and their children, Brenden, Hayes, and Reade.