The Rev. Margaret “Margie” Kay Pumphrey, Class of 2003, died in the early morning of Saturday, October 15, 2022, after experiencing a sudden medical event two days earlier. She was 77.

Ordained December 4, 2003, Pumphrey took a vital role in many diocesan functions and committees throughout her priesthood in the Episcopal Church in Delaware. She began parish ministry at the Church of the Nativity in New Castle while serving full-time as a chaplain at Christiana Care. She also served as rector of St. Augustine's, Kansas City, Missouri and St. Alban's, Wilmington. Most recently she was the president of the Disciplinary Board.

Born in Richland, Washington to the late William C. and Margaret Jane Morgan Kay. Pumphrey lived a rich and diverse life filled with change and growth. The family moved to the Wilmington area and lived at her beloved West Farm, her home as a youth and where she also raised her four children. She graduated from Tower Hill School and Neumann College (bachelors and master’s degrees), before attending General. Her first job was at the DuPont Company, where she was the first female computer programmer at the company. She then devoted herself to creating a home and raising her four children. Drawn to serving God, she became a Board Certified (Healthcare) Chaplain, where she found, in her own words, “…that seeking and serving the good, the holy, in every person helps that good to flourish.” In 2000, she had the rare privilege of having her youngest take her to school, moving to seminary in Manhattan.

During her first years in parish ministry, Pumphrey simultaneously finished a Masters in Pastoral Care and Counseling with a concentration in Spiritual Direction. She subsequently served as Rector of St. Augustine’s, Kansas City, MO and St. Alban’s, Wilmington. More recently she was President of the diocesan Disciplinary Board and functioned as consultant to churches anticipating the possibility of closure.

Pumphrey is survived by her husband, The Reverend John B. Pumphrey (GTS Class of 1972); her four children: Carolyn Ashby, Cameron Ashby (Kimberly Peterson), Beth Noel (John), and Matthew Ashby; two step-sons, Brian Pumphrey (Noel) and Mike Pumphrey (fiancé Heidi); two grandchildren, Jack and Morgan Noel; two twin step-grandchildren (James and Katherine Pumphrey); sisters, Kathleen Kay and Carolyn Wales; her brother, Cameron Kay (Tracey); and her nieces and nephew, Morgan Stower, Andy Kay, and Lexi Kay Herndon.

Pumphrey loved the outdoors. She John enjoyed vacationing in our National Parks as well as spending time locally at Longwood and Winterthur. John has said that he could point to any random plant and Margie could name it. Living close to grandchildren Jack and Morgan was a special joy; she lit up like a thousand suns whenever with them.

The funeral service is scheduled for 2 pm, Thursday, November 3 at Immanuel Episcopal Church Highlands, 2400 West 17th Street, Wilmington where a visitation will follow the funeral service. Interment in the Kay family lot at Lower Brandywine Cemetery is private. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions to World Central Kitchen (providing chef-prepared meals to communities impacted by crisis) at www.wck.org or Episcopal Relief & Development (provides compassionate responses to human suffering in the world) at www.episcopalrelief.org).

From notification received by John Pumphrey as well as an obituary published in the News Journal and online on October 19, 2022.