Sarah J. Kennedy

Mrs. Sarah (Sally) J. Kennedy, 88, a resident of New Holland, PA, passed into the arms of her Savior on Sunday, February 9, following a brief illness.

Mrs. Kennedy was born in Johnstown, PA in 1925 and spent much of her childhood in northeastern Ohio. As a young adult she lived in Darlington, WI where her husband, J. Fred Parkyn, pastored three churches. Subsequently they served as missionaries in Guatemala, Central America from 1955-1966 with the Primitive Methodist International Mission Board. After a pastorate in Dickson City, PA, they established the Lionville Community Methodist Church in 1975, serving there through the mid-1980s.

Married to Ernest Kennedy in 1988, she lived for more than 20 years in New Holland where she was a member of the New Holland Church of the Nazarene. There she planted flowers in the summer, volunteered in the church library, and was active in the mid-week ladies Bible study.

Surviving, in addition to her husband Ernest, are sons Jay Parkyn of Douglassville, PA; David Parkyn and his wife Linda of Chicago, IL, and Timothy Parkyn of Portland, OR; daughter Grace Kulp and her husband Eugene of New Holland, twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A funeral for Mrs. Kennedy will be held on Wednesday, February 12 at 11 a.m. at the New Holland Church of the Nazarene, 428 Ranck Rd. New Holland with Pastor Kenneth Mingledorff. A viewing will be held at Groff-High Funeral Home, 145 W. Main St., New Holland on Tuesday (TODAY) from 7 – 9 p.m. at the church on Wednesday from 10- 11 a.m.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to Utatlan School in Guatemala, at the Primitive Methodist International Mission Board, 10015 AL Hwy. 40, Henagar, AL 35978. Online condolences may be posted at www.groffeckenroth.com.