Winifred Kelley

WINIFRED MURRAY KELLEY

Des Moines

Winifred was born at Fort Shafter, Honolulu, Hawaii, on July 11, 1918, to Maj. Frederick G. Murray, M.D., and Janette Stevenson Murray. She died Jan. 18, 2017, in Des Moines.

She graduated in 1936 from Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids and from Coe College in 1940 with an A.B. degree. She earned a Master of Music Ed from the University of Michigan in 1943 and was a member of the WAVES in communications in the 12th Naval District in San Francisco during World War II.

From 1940 to 1951, she taught music and language arts in six schools in Iowa, New Jersey and Michigan, including a position as elementary music supervisor in Battle Creek, Mich., public schools.

In 1951, she married Robb B. Kelley, who was at that time branch manager of EMC Insurance Cos. in Philadelphia. In 1956, the family moved to Des Moines.

Winifred had had a long career in vocal music, singing soprano in college and university groups. At Tanglewood Music Center, she sang in the chorus of the premiere of Britten's "Peter Grimes" with Leonard Bernstein conducting. She was a member for two years of the Brick Presbyterian Church Choir in New York City, with Dr. Dickinson, director. At various times she sang with the Fellowship House Choir at Temple University and with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

In Des Moines, she was a member of the Des Moines Choral Society and sang many years with the Central Presbyterian Church Choir.

She may be remembered for the many folk songs with the autoharp programs she gave to clubs and retirement homes during the years. Winifred volunteered many years at Living History Farms in the Church of the Land.

She served on the Iowa Humanities Foundation board, BWA Foundation board and YWCA board and was president of the Des Moines Symphony board. Winifred was a longtime member and supporter of Camp Fire USA.

Her club memberships included Delta Delta Delta sorority, Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity, AAUW, a

50-year member of Fortnightly Musical Club, Proteus, Comment Club and PEO.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robb, CEO of Employers Mutual Insurance Cos.; her brother, William G. Murray, professor of economics at Iowa State and two-time gubernatorial candidate in Iowa; her sister, Eleanor M. Shepherd; her brother, Edward S. Murray, M.D., Harvard medical professor; and her sister Janet M. Fiske.

Winifred is survived by her three children, Bruce Kelley (Susy) of Des Moines, Carolyn Evans (James) of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Sarah Lamphere (Charles) of Lake Forest, Ill.; and her eight grandchildren, Dashle, Barnes (AJ), and Onnalee Kelley, Gretchen and Elizabeth Evans, Gordon, Duncan and Malcolm Lamphere; and her great-grandchild, Georgia Kelley.

Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Dunn's Chapel in Des Moines. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Central Presbyterian Church.

Memorials may be made to Drake University.