Mary Kaye Murphy Blickenderfer

Mary Kaye Murphy Blickenderfer, a resident of Taos, NM for over 48 years passed away on June 6, 2013. Born and raised in Gallup, NM, Mary Kaye attended Gallup schools, graduating from Cathedral High School in 1956. She received her bachelors degree in Music Education from St. Mary College in Leavenworth, KS in 1960 and her MME from Northern Arizona University in 1971. After four years of teaching in Kansas, Mary Kaye moved back to NM where she was employed by the Taos Municipal School District as the music teacher in Grades K-6, for 37 years, retiring in 2002. She also taught private piano lessons, continuing this practice even in retirement. Music was her passion and over the years, she taught herself how to play the mandolin, the guitar, and the harp. Her annual Christmas pageants at the elementary school were legendary, proof of the hours she invested trying to choreograph and select musical numbers that were unique and special to each of her classes. During her years at Taos Elementary, she met and married fellow teacher and administrator, David Blickenderfer on October 26, 1985, and the two settled in Ranchos de Taos. During her career, she was a Life Member of Phi Kappa Phi Sorority. Mary Kaye is preceded in death by her parents, Clara and Jimmy Murphy, four siblings, Jimmy, Billy, Deanie and Larry Murphy. She is survived by her husband, David, two cats, five sisters, Peggy Murphy of Deming, NM, Pat Tomljanovich of El Paso, TX, Dorothy Spezze of Leawood, KS, Barbara Dawes of Manhattan, KS, Frances Coody of Edmond, OK, two brothers-in-law, Ralph Spezze and Carl Coody, 16 nieces and nephews, three of which were Godchildren as well as many other relatives and friends. Public Visitation was held on June 8, 2013 at Rivera Chapel. Funeral Mass followed at San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church with interment at the Jesus Nazareno Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of St. Mary, 4100 S. 4th Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048.