Carol "Kay" Svenson Williams Salinger
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Carol “Kay” Svenson Williams Salinger, wife of Rev. David White Salinger, died peacefully on Friday, November 15, 2013. Born in Philadelphia on August 31, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Gustav Conrad Svenson and Janette Jenkins. She was graduated from Haverford High School, where she met her first husband and many life-long friends.
Mrs. Salinger met her second husband at a Christian Conference in Pawling, New York. Their relationship moved into romance and then marriage. She loved being a pastor’s wife!
When they met, Kay was an active member of Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church in Parkesburg, PA. She sang in the choir, worshipped in a Praise Service, was an active ordained Deacon, participated in Women’s Programs, Sunday School, and helped in many events.
Dave took her away from Upper Octorara and from her family. Kay was a tremendous helpmate. She visited the sick and dying with her husband, went to hospitals and funerals, attended many Presbytery meetings and other meetings with him, participated in many church programs and activities, sang in each Church Choir, helped in Bible School and substituted as a Church School teacher, helped teach and lead with him small groups: Bible Studies, Prayer Groups, etc. She took part in each Church’s Woman’s groups and helped in a used clothes ministry.
Kay was a very devoted wife and loving mother. She had a terrific relationship with each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was also a loyal friend to many. Her enthusiasm, compassion and unwavering cheerful support of those whom she knew and loved will be deeply missed.
Mrs. Salinger had a deep and steadfast faith and was a true servant of the Lord. She was happiest when doing His work and helping others in His name. Thus as Rev. Salinger’s wife, she devoted herself to meeting the spiritual needs of four congregations - interim pastors move frequently!
Moving back East, she continued service with her husband and rejoiced at opportunities to reunite with family and many friends at Upper Octorara, where they had been married.
Mrs. Salinger was predeceased by a sister, Jane Brown of Atlanta, GA, a son-in-law, Attila T. Balla of Cochranville, PA and her first husband, Dafydd Diller Williams of Broomall, PA, her high school sweetheart. She is survived by her husband and the following children from her first marriage and their spouses: Bryn D. and Deborah (Jones) Williams, Mrs. Kristin W. Balla, (Chester County), Kathi and Mark R. Wilson, of Lancaster County, PA and Rhys C. and Holland (Ashmore) Williams of Mt. Pleasant, SC. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
A Celebration service will be held on Saturday November 23, 2013, at 10am at Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Point, a community ecumenical Christ-centered YOUTH PROGRAM in which Kay had passionately participated and was looking forward with excitement and enthusiasm to enhanced service in their just opened new building.
Website: ParkesburgPoint.com or Parkesburg Point, PO Box 731, Parkesburg, PA 19365.
Condolences
Kay Salinger
We were surprised and saddened to hear Kay is no longer with us. Tom and I send our prayers your way, that Jesus would comfort you, that you would rest in His everlasting arms and find comfort there. As for Kay herself, I can picture her ecstatically worshiping her Lord, totally at home in the heavenly realms!
To the Family
I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to you. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are never alone. Turn to the Holy Scriptures for guidance and to help soothe your heart. Psalms 34:18 assures us that God is near to those broken at heart and crushed in spirit. Please accept my deepest sympathies.