Karen Salley (nee Klinger), age 70 passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at her summer home in Wildwood Crest, N.J. on Friday, December 29, 2017. Karen was born and raised in Chicago, later moving to South Holland ,Il., before finally settling in Wayne, NJ thirty five years ago. Karen"s father passed away while she was still quite young, leaving her to learn tough life lessons at a young age.
Lessons she would pass on to her family and friends throughout her life allowing her to connect with so many. She attended Thornridge High School in Dolton, IL (class of 1965) and immediately joined the workforce after graduating. She found work at the Insurance Company of North America (INA) in Chicago and over a 10 year career grew her title to Regional Administrator.
Her time at INA was special not just professionally but also personally. In 1973, another INA employee named Roy Salley working in the New York office was transferred to Chicago as part of a promotion. It was this move from New York to Chicago that the beginning of both their lives would start to take shape.
A short time after Roy arrived, they were set up on a date by a co-worker. This first date was a St. Patrick"s Day Party in a county park near Chicago where they basically, "stood around, talked, and drank beer." in the snow! Although hardly a romantic, fairy-tale first date, as fate would have it, Roy and Karen fell in love.
They dated a few years and on September 25, 1976 were married at Holy Name Episcopal Church in Dolton, IL honeymooning in Wildwood Crest, NJ. Karen was of the Catholic Faith but converted to Episcopalian upon marrying Roy and remained a woman of strong faith. Karen and Roy cherished over forty years of loving and loyal marriage.
Karen and Roy settled in Dolton, IL immediately after marriage. They bought a home in nearby South Holland and began building their lives and family together. The next five years brought them three healthy children and in 1982 Roy"s work transferred him once again, this time back east.
They moved to New Jersey and decided Wayne would be the place they call home and raise their children. The move east meant Karen would be leaving behind her career and family to support that of her husbands while giving her kids the idyllic upbringing she wanted for them. This level of devotion and sacrifice came so naturally to her and is a small example of her many traits we will miss.
Immediately, Karen and Roy became active within the congregation of St. Michael"s Episcopal Church along with the Wayne PAL, where their kids played sports. Both organizations had a valuable impact on Karen and Roy. Not knowing at the time but the friendships they formed from their involvement would last a lifetime.
Karen was also very active in the PTA where her children went to school and also found a part-time position as a Teacher"s Aid in the Wayne public Schools. Moving to New Jersey also brought out her love of the Jersey Shore. Karen and her family spent many summer days at various NJ Shore points.
Karen fell so in love with the Wildwood"s that she plotted with her husband"s mother to purchase a home there. In 1994, 18 years after her initial honeymoon visit to Wildwood, Karen and her mother-in-law found "the perfect place," and called her husband telling him the big news. In addition to the Jersey Shore Karen got to visit outside the United States.
Roy"s career allowed for global trips that often included spouses. The two traveled to many exotic locations around the world including Tokyo, Singapore, Sweden and France. One of the most memorable trips being a villa on the French Riviera that included Karen and Roy"s parents and kids.
Aside from all her interests and hobbies, her greatest passion was her family. Nothing meant more to Karen than being and spending quality time with her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and was especially close to her daughters in law, Kimmy and Tonya .
She was an extraordinary person, loving, caring, and compassionate. She touched the lives of many, many people. She will be truly missed by everyone who knew her.
Karen is survived by her husband Roy of Wayne, two sons; Roy Salley II and his wife, Tonya of Cedar Grove and Shaun Salley and his wife, Kimberly of Riverdale, one daughter Colleen Salley of Morristown, her mother Shirlee Klinger of Portage, IN, one brother; Jack Klinger of Crown Point, IN, four grandchildren; Rebecca Salley, Morgan Salley, Ava Salley, and Henry Salley, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Karen is survived by her in laws whom she had a close bond; Nancy and Roy Salley, Kim and Jim Salley, Scott and Amy Salley, and Wayne and Diane Salley. She is also survived by two of her dogs; Elizabeth Taylor and Nora.
Friends may visit with the family from 4-8PM on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at the VanderMay Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ. A memorial service will be held at a future date and will be posted as soon as it is scheduled.
Jill Kathleen Vinke (Carter)
Date Deceased : December 29th 2017
Karen Salley (nee Klinger), age 70 passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at her summer home in Wildwood Crest, N.J. on Friday, December 29, 2017. Karen was born and raised in Chicago, later moving to South Holland ,Il., before finally settling in Wayne, NJ thirty five years ago. Karen"s father passed away while she was still quite young, leaving her to learn tough life lessons at a young age.
Lessons she would pass on to her family and friends throughout her life allowing her to connect with so many. She attended Thornridge High School in Dolton, IL (class of 1965) and immediately joined the workforce after graduating. She found work at the Insurance Company of North America (INA) in Chicago and over a 10 year career grew her title to Regional Administrator.
Her time at INA was special not just professionally but also personally. In 1973, another INA employee named Roy Salley working in the New York office was transferred to Chicago as part of a promotion. It was this move from New York to Chicago that the beginning of both their lives would start to take shape.
A short time after Roy arrived, they were set up on a date by a co-worker. This first date was a St. Patrick"s Day Party in a county park near Chicago where they basically, "stood around, talked, and drank beer." in the snow! Although hardly a romantic, fairy-tale first date, as fate would have it, Roy and Karen fell in love.
They dated a few years and on September 25, 1976 were married at Holy Name Episcopal Church in Dolton, IL honeymooning in Wildwood Crest, NJ. Karen was of the Catholic Faith but converted to Episcopalian upon marrying Roy and remained a woman of strong faith. Karen and Roy cherished over forty years of loving and loyal marriage.
Karen and Roy settled in Dolton, IL immediately after marriage. They bought a home in nearby South Holland and began building their lives and family together. The next five years brought them three healthy children and in 1982 Roy"s work transferred him once again, this time back east.
They moved to New Jersey and decided Wayne would be the place they call home and raise their children. The move east meant Karen would be leaving behind her career and family to support that of her husbands while giving her kids the idyllic upbringing she wanted for them. This level of devotion and sacrifice came so naturally to her and is a small example of her many traits we will miss.
Immediately, Karen and Roy became active within the congregation of St. Michael"s Episcopal Church along with the Wayne PAL, where their kids played sports. Both organizations had a valuable impact on Karen and Roy. Not knowing at the time but the friendships they formed from their involvement would last a lifetime.
Karen was also very active in the PTA where her children went to school and also found a part-time position as a Teacher"s Aid in the Wayne public Schools. Moving to New Jersey also brought out her love of the Jersey Shore. Karen and her family spent many summer days at various NJ Shore points.
Karen fell so in love with the Wildwood"s that she plotted with her husband"s mother to purchase a home there. In 1994, 18 years after her initial honeymoon visit to Wildwood, Karen and her mother-in-law found "the perfect place," and called her husband telling him the big news. In addition to the Jersey Shore Karen got to visit outside the United States.
Roy"s career allowed for global trips that often included spouses. The two traveled to many exotic locations around the world including Tokyo, Singapore, Sweden and France. One of the most memorable trips being a villa on the French Riviera that included Karen and Roy"s parents and kids.
Aside from all her interests and hobbies, her greatest passion was her family. Nothing meant more to Karen than being and spending quality time with her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and was especially close to her daughters in law, Kimmy and Tonya .
She was an extraordinary person, loving, caring, and compassionate. She touched the lives of many, many people. She will be truly missed by everyone who knew her.
Karen is survived by her husband Roy of Wayne, two sons; Roy Salley II and his wife, Tonya of Cedar Grove and Shaun Salley and his wife, Kimberly of Riverdale, one daughter Colleen Salley of Morristown, her mother Shirlee Klinger of Portage, IN, one brother; Jack Klinger of Crown Point, IN, four grandchildren; Rebecca Salley, Morgan Salley, Ava Salley, and Henry Salley, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Karen is survived by her in laws whom she had a close bond; Nancy and Roy Salley, Kim and Jim Salley, Scott and Amy Salley, and Wayne and Diane Salley. She is also survived by two of her dogs; Elizabeth Taylor and Nora.
Friends may visit with the family from 4-8PM on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at the VanderMay Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ. A memorial service will be held at a future date and will be posted as soon as it is scheduled.
Linda Rizzo (Marzano)