SPRINGFIELD – Mary Kaye (Catherine) Murray was born on December 8, 1944 in Springfield, Missouri to Elton Booth and Gladys Murray.  Mary Kaye was raised in Springfield, Missouri, graduated from Willard High School, Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) and attended two years of Veterinarian School at the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Mary Kaye's first love and her last love was horses!  She got this from her father, who trained horses, and her mother, who showed horses.  She had a dog kennel (Daffodil Dog Kennel), which her beloved Uncle Howard assisted her, and raised dogs since she was 10 years old.  She raised, showed horses, and taught riding lessons on Arabian and American Saddlebred horses while catch riding Tennessee Walking horses and Fox Trotter horses or any horse!   She also raised and showed dogs including Borzoi, Standard Poodles, Dobermans, and other breeds.  Through her late teen years, she lived with veterinarian Dr. Delbert and Shirley Carlson along with their children, Tom, Mike, Bob, Krist, and Liisa Carlson.

Mary Kaye is survived by her wife and best friend, Candace "Candy" Adams, her brothers Jack Murray of Texas, Tom (Faye) Murray of Springfield, and Richard (Jan) Murray of Texas.  She is also survived by her special cousins Terri Murray and Jill Murray North; niece Tiffany Yale and her children – Bailey, Briana, and Keegan; nephew Darren (Jenny) Murray, and their children - Garrett and Kate; nephew Rusty Murray and his children – Lily, Sophie, Ellie; and niece Lashelle (Brad) and their children -  Grayson and Emma.  She is also survived by her adopted son, Trevor Harlow and his daughter, Brianna Harlow.

Throughout the years, Mary Kaye has been a mentor and friend to many - either through horses, dogs, or the many jobs she held in the Springfield area.  She was a pioneer in the agriculture/veterinarian field being the only woman in her class.  She was also the first woman hired in maintenance in the Springfield School System.  Ultimately, she loved life and tried to help as many people as she could find a better life and be their best selves, including her beloved wife, Candy.

Thank you to Cox Health and the many doctors, nurses and aides that served her so well.  Thank you to Phoenix Hospice Care for being there when needed.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Mary Kaye on Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 2-4 p.m. at the Old Glass Place, 521 E. St. Louis St., Springfield, MO 65806.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri, 3161 W. Norton Road, Springfield, Missouri 65803. https://www.swh.org.

Online condolences may be made at www.gormanscharpf.com