Alumni Link
A Tribute to Kathleen Demaray
Published Date: February 27, 2015
by Dr. Donald Demeray, Professor at Asbury Theological Seminary (1966-2000)
My Kathleen was, for at least two decades, the Alumni Secretary at ATS. Often she would report on the activities of our grads. Her twin gifts of love and laughter warmed many a heart and made her memorable. The kind words from our alumni on my computer screen are too many to count.
In her quiet way, she not only served our alumni, but she gave leadership to the communion stewards of our church for 33 years, sat on the Martha Jones Day Care Center from its beginning days and saw the building go up, and best of all she was a friend to everybody — I cannot think of a single enemy; Kathleen never said a harsh word about anyone.
She is with the Lord and very happy. But I will miss her and the loving corrections she suggested for my sermons and books. The angel on my back porch I named Kathleen.
Services for Kathleen will be held at Wilmore Free Methodist Church on Easter Sunday evening.
Please feel free to leave a tribute to Kathleen or a blessing for Dr. Demaray below.
I can’t count the number of people I’ve told about Asbury Theological Seminary. I learned a lot from the books and more from the people who told me about the books. The books taught me about God and faith and church; the people helped me experience God and faith and church.
Donald & Kathleen Demaray were two of Asbury’s models for my life and ministry!
Bless you for investing your spirit and instruction in our lives as students. I remember both you and Kathleen for your gentle spirits of grace. I am blessed
Dear Dr. Demaray,
So sorry to hear of Kathleen’s passing. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray God will grant you His peace during this time.
Todd Weber
Class of 1989
You are in my prayers I rememer meeting her
On the occasions that Nancy and I were invited to ‘Afternoon Tea’ with the Demarays, we were enchanted by Kathleen’s sweet tender spirit and wry smile that warmed our hearts every time. Dr. Don we hold you up in prayer and rejoice in a saint going home.
Dear Dr. Demaray, Kathleen’s sweet smile and heart are indelibly etched in our minds. We loved our time with you while learning at ATS. Our love and prayers, Nelson and Camille Blount
Dear Don, Your meaningful tribute and previous article on marriage demonstrate so well, the beauty of Kathleen — and your life as well! Our love and prayers, Tom and Bettie G.
I was sorry to hear about your wife. I and my wife will pray that God will comfort you in the months ahead.
Dear Dr. Demaray, I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of your beloved Katheen. May the God of all comfort envelope you and your family with love, strength and peace that transcends all understanding. Love, Sheryl Alexander
Dear Dr Demaray (Don),
You and Kathleen were alway two of the most delightful people in the Wilmore community. I have fond emmories of you both and give thanks for your leadership at the seminary. Please accept the Christian condolences of Cherrie and I in your time of sorrow even as we share your faith and hope in the resurrection and eternal life!
Grace and peace to you and your family through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dan and Cherrie Casselberry
PS I served on the laumni Board and recall how helpful Kathleen was to us all.
So sorry to hear of Kathleen’s passing; she was a splendid person and leaves superb memories, which hurt now but will be a terrific blessing in the future. God bless you.
This comes with my love.
Bruce McDonald
Across many years (now 47), her presence and reputation as a Christian person is a great memory. You, too.
Dr. Don, All you said of Kathleen, we could also say of you. How wonderful to be so equally yolked and so effective in the ministries to which God called you and Kathleen. We mourn your loss, for this time, and celebrate the life you lived and blessings you gave to thousands of us over your decades of service at ATS. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, in Christ’s holy love, Will and Katherine Hensel
I have very pleasant memories of of both you and Mrs. Demaray. May God fill your days with His love and with pleasant memories of many happy days.
Phil Poe,
Class of ’77
Dear Don,
We will also miss Kathleen’s presence in our lives. Our relationship with you goes even further back to your dad sand mother.
We will treasure the many memories of our times together when we visited Asbury many years ago. We will be praying that for you. Miko and I are fine. I will be 91 at the end of this month and am active at the Anaheim Free Methodist Church. Carl and Miko Yoshimine
Dear Dr. Demaray. I have thought about you often over the years, remembering your wise coaching of your homiletic students and your personal counsel to me. I am saddened for you by the loss of your beloved wife. Having lost my Judy 10 years ago to cancer, I know your grief. I pray that our Good Lord will especially comfort you during your temporary separation from Kathleen.
Serounian Keir
Dear Dr.Demaray, While Faith and I moved through Asbury Seminary before you got there, we lived across the street from you in Seattle where youi were an academic challenge and mentor never forgotten. Your dear wife was so deeply appreciated. While not in contact much in recent years. we will miss her too, and our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Dean and Faith
Dr. Demaray, i want you to know i am praying for you. I can’t say i am sorry, because i know it is relief that Miss Kathleen isn’t suffering.. She was always to kind and thoughtful to me and all the students. We are grateful for the two of you and your wonderful example to all of us. Know that i love you
One of my favorite time at Seminary was working with the Salvation Army. Dr Demaray and Kathleen would invite these groups of servants to their house for a coffee. There we would sing, praise and give thanks. The Army folks would leave so filled with love and Shalom. This taught me what Christian hospitality really means. Thank you Kathleen and Dr Demaray for sharing you home and life in this way. Wayne and Kasey
I will never forget having shortbread cookies, fruit slices, and sipping hot tea from delicate china tea cups and saucers with Dr. Demaray and Kathleen outside on their back porch. That was a sacred and lovely part of my Asbury education–in heart and head.
Don’s care for his beloved wife during the past few years were a crowning endorsement of his own integrity and ministry. It was Don who burned into my soul the grandeur and glory of the call to preach. Yet without glorious love at home that grandeur would be hollow. Here were two beautiful people who reflected Christ uniquely. I pray God’s comfort to Don would sustain him and add richness to memories of a wonderful partnership in Christ.
Dear Cousin Don,
So sorry to hear of Kathleen’s passing. I remember well our long association, especially her kindness to Joyce during our visits in later years. May the Peace of Our Lord be with you at this time.
In His Love,
My prayers are with you, Dr. Don. I so much appreciated both of you when I was on campus and the times we spent praying. May God’s Spirit wrap arms of love and comfort around you.
When Regina and moved to Wilmore to begin seminary, you brought meat from the seminary freezer which was very much appreciated. You helped me in preaching class. And when our family came back to visit in Wilmore after I graduated, you and Kathleen welcomed us to stay with you in your home. Kathleen was very gracious and loving to us. I have never forgotten you. I lost Regina just a year ago due to a stroke. May God comfort you in your loss.
I used to work with Kathleen when I was a student employee in the Office of Communications and Publications. She was a wonderful lady! Our hearts go out to you at this time.
You may not remember me but I was one of the many international students that you and your wife helped in many ways. May God bear you up during these times.
Dr. Don, the prayers of Valerie and myself are with you and the family. I will never forget the dinner in our house with you folks. God’s comfort upon you and the family.
Dear Don:
I just read of Kathleen’s homegoing in the Elink.I bless you for your faithfulness in keeping your promise to God and Kathleen till death took her from you and her illness, ushering her into the presence of Jesus and into the atmosphere of healing and wholeness.
The past months have brought you and Kathleen to my mind, prompting me to pray for her, and for you standing by her.
Don your life made important spiritual impacts on my life and ministry.
Now, I will be 85 in a few weeks, and look back to the days when God’s call came upon my life. I was given my first paper as ”
“exhorter.” I was 17 and that was 28 years ago.
God has been good to me, and your life is one of those good things I received.
May the Lord be with you.
Blessings!
Bob McDowell
Ooops! My math has gone sloppy. It was 68 years ago.
Aargh!
BobMcD