9/29/1948 – 11/5/2026
Lawrence
Memorial Services for Susan Lynn (Bove) Murphy, 78, Lawrence, will be 1 pm, Friday, November 13, 2026, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
She died November 5, 2026, at LMH Health.
Susan Lynn Murphy (Bove) was born on September 29,1948, in Atlanta, Georgia to Anthony Philip Bove and Elizabeth Mary Bove (Savage). Susan was a twin with Bruce Anthony Bove, and joining the family later – Karen Bove and Lisa Bove. Susan lived a life filled with love for humans and animals. She was married to Carl Dale Murphy on July 23,1977, at his parent’s home in Lawrence, Kansas.
Susan graduated from Emporia State Teachers College, subsequently teaching and coaching sports in Perry, Kansas. The principal, who happen to be Dale’s brother, introduced Susan and Dale. Their lives were forever changed. Susan loved Dale dearly from that day forward. Their married life was spent in Lawrence, Kansas where Susan later worked at the KU Copy Center and at BERT NASH Community Mental Health Center.
Susan lived with mental health challenges, and this affected every aspect of her and her family’s life. She became public about living with mental health struggles, speaking for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She worked at BERT NASH Community Mental Health as a certified Peer-Support Specialist. A story was published about how doing water aerobics was helpful throughout her mental health journey. Her advocacy for respect and dignity of every person living with mental health issues is admirable. As we advocate for respect and kindness, it is a tribute to her memory.
Susan referred often to her husband Dale as her “rock of Gibraltar.” He stuck with her through thick and thin. He stood by her at all times. Most summers they would take a road trip for their Anniversary. She had hoped to get to their 50th, which would have been next summer.
Along with her love for Dale, Susan treasured her dogs. One might say she spoiled them!
Most of the years that her younger sister Lisa lived in California, Susan came and visited. She greatly supported Lisa, Renna, Cleo, and Michaela. She was a prominent presence in the Killen Bove family. In later years Susan came for various trips, including Yosemite, San Francisco, Cambria, Muir Woods, whale watching in Newport Beach and Santa Barbara. Monterey Bay Aquarium was one of her favorites. When Lisa was installed as the Minister for Mental Health and Wellness at West Hollywood United Church of Christ, Susan shared her own story at the service.
In recent years, Susan joined the Wakarusa Valley Ward of the Church of Latter- day Saints. Susan served that church that she loved so much as the Head Greeter. She took that job very seriously and was friendly with everyone who came to the church. She loved her church and her church loved her. On November 1st she told the church about her cancer diagnosis. Since she had a health crisis that day, her friend Susan Peterson read her testimony on her behalf. “You are my Church Rock of Gibraltar.” “My life has been good and fulfilled. I can’t express how all of you have made me feel like a friend and member. Best life decision I made was to join this church.”
Over the years Susan and Dale spent holidays and special occasions with family. For years they went to the Christmas Breakfast extravaganza with the Murphy family. They would travel to Overland Park to share special events with Bruce and his family. She and Bruce shared an annual “birthday lunch.” For Susan, family was paramount.
Susan is predeceased by her parents, Tony and Bette and her sister Karen Bove. Susan is survived by her twin brother Bruce, sister-in-law Kay Bove, nieces Abbey and Kylie. As well as her sister Lisa Bove; sister-in-law Renna Killen, nieces Cleo and Michaela, Nephew Jeremy and great nephews Corbin & Declan; as well as her great niece Quinley. Four-legged Pixie and Murphy predecease her. She is survived by four-legged Jacky.
We thank God for the life of Susan Lynn Murphy. We are grateful for all she is and was in our lives, the many lives she touched, and all she did to make this world a more loving and gentler place.
Should you want to make a financial gift in Susan’s memory, her wishes were for any donations to be to please to be directed to Lawrence Humane Society or Helping Hands in Topeka. Your every move for justice, love and kindness is also a gift, as you live in memory of Susan.
Links below to donate
https://www.hhhstopeka.org/
https://lawrencehumane.org/
Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com
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