1917
Ms.
2013
Ms. Saline Gafney
June 27, 1917 — September 27, 2013
Saline Slaughter Gafney
Saline was born on June 26, 1917 on farm in Queen City, MO to Victor L. and Louise Blake Slaughter. Graduating from Queen City High School in 1935 she remained on the farm until 1942, when she married George Johnson of Queen City. Upon George's leaving for service in World War II with the U.S. Army, she moved to Kansas City. In 1943, he was killed in action. She remained in Kansas City working for Kansas City Southern Railroad for over 18 years.
In 1950, she married Austin Gafney in Kansas City where they made their home, eventually building a house in the Milhaven neighborhood. Austin's job with McKesson and Robbins moved them to Hartsdale, NY, where he worked in New York City, NY. When the business moved to California in 1973, they lived in Orinda, CA. After becoming President of the McKesson's Chemical Division, Austin became ill and passed away in 1975. Saline returned to Kansas City to live close to family and friends. She volunteered at Shawnee Mission Medical Center for 27 years, was a member of Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church and an excellent artist as a painter in oils. In 1981, she was one of the injured survivors of the Hyatt Regency Walkway collapse.
Throughout all of her adversity as well as joys, Saline remained strong and active. She was one of the original residents of Claridge Court Life Space Community in Prairie Village, KS, where she was actively involved with many various activities including an original member of the board of directors, and a board member of the nursing level of care when she became incapacitated in July 2011. The family wishes to thank the entire staff of Claridge Court for providing the most professional, compassionate and excellent care possible over the last two decades.
Saline's vivacious, dynamic personality made a huge impact on those who were her friends and family. Her grand style could not be missed by anyone who met her or by those she loved. Her family was her life and all benefited in some special way for her generous presence in their life.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, 2 husbands, 3 sisters, 2 brothers, and 3 nephews. Her only surviving sibling is her sister, Anna Marie Rose (Leonard) of Overland Park, KS, with whom she was very close.
She is survived by her stepsons, Michael C. Gafney (Janet) of Overland Park, KS; Anthony V. Gafney (Sharon) of Kansas City, MO; her step-grandchildren, Andrew Gafney (Andrea) of Olathe, KS, Jennifer Martin (Jeff) of Lenexa, KS; Scott Gafney of Mission, KS, and five great-grandchildren.
Additional family members who survive her include the following nieces and nephews: Norma James (Emmett) of Kirksville, MO; Howard Western of Greentop, MO; Linda Bowers (Richard) of Jefferson City, MO; Larry Slaughter (Karen) of Queen City, MO; Vicki Schoeb (Bill) of Shawnee, KS; Daniel Rose (Kay) of Overland Park, KS; Ruth Wyatt (Tom) of O'Fallon, MO; and Lisa Boyce (Ron) of Olathe, KS; dozens of great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Saline will be missed greatly by Carl Herring of Overland Park, KS who was her special friend and companion for 13 years. Carl's son, Joe Herring (Norma) and their extended family were also close to her.
In honor to her generosity and joy of giving to charities, as well as, love of beauty especially flowers, gifts of flowers, donations to the Rolling Hills Outreach Fund or a charity of your choice are welcome.
Saline's Celebration of Life will be at the Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church, 9300 Nall Ave. Overland Park, KS, on Thursday, October 10th, at 11 am in the sanctuary. Preceding the service at 10-11 am, an Open Visitation will occur in the sanctuary. The Deacon's, Church staff and family invite all to attend a luncheon reception provided immediately following in the Ralston Room. Interment will be at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Memorial Gardens at 1:30 PM.
Saline was born on June 26, 1917 on farm in Queen City, MO to Victor L. and Louise Blake Slaughter. Graduating from Queen City High School in 1935 she remained on the farm until 1942, when she married George Johnson of Queen City. Upon George's leaving for service in World War II with the U.S. Army, she moved to Kansas City. In 1943, he was killed in action. She remained in Kansas City working for Kansas City Southern Railroad for over 18 years.
In 1950, she married Austin Gafney in Kansas City where they made their home, eventually building a house in the Milhaven neighborhood. Austin's job with McKesson and Robbins moved them to Hartsdale, NY, where he worked in New York City, NY. When the business moved to California in 1973, they lived in Orinda, CA. After becoming President of the McKesson's Chemical Division, Austin became ill and passed away in 1975. Saline returned to Kansas City to live close to family and friends. She volunteered at Shawnee Mission Medical Center for 27 years, was a member of Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church and an excellent artist as a painter in oils. In 1981, she was one of the injured survivors of the Hyatt Regency Walkway collapse.
Throughout all of her adversity as well as joys, Saline remained strong and active. She was one of the original residents of Claridge Court Life Space Community in Prairie Village, KS, where she was actively involved with many various activities including an original member of the board of directors, and a board member of the nursing level of care when she became incapacitated in July 2011. The family wishes to thank the entire staff of Claridge Court for providing the most professional, compassionate and excellent care possible over the last two decades.
Saline's vivacious, dynamic personality made a huge impact on those who were her friends and family. Her grand style could not be missed by anyone who met her or by those she loved. Her family was her life and all benefited in some special way for her generous presence in their life.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, 2 husbands, 3 sisters, 2 brothers, and 3 nephews. Her only surviving sibling is her sister, Anna Marie Rose (Leonard) of Overland Park, KS, with whom she was very close.
She is survived by her stepsons, Michael C. Gafney (Janet) of Overland Park, KS; Anthony V. Gafney (Sharon) of Kansas City, MO; her step-grandchildren, Andrew Gafney (Andrea) of Olathe, KS, Jennifer Martin (Jeff) of Lenexa, KS; Scott Gafney of Mission, KS, and five great-grandchildren.
Additional family members who survive her include the following nieces and nephews: Norma James (Emmett) of Kirksville, MO; Howard Western of Greentop, MO; Linda Bowers (Richard) of Jefferson City, MO; Larry Slaughter (Karen) of Queen City, MO; Vicki Schoeb (Bill) of Shawnee, KS; Daniel Rose (Kay) of Overland Park, KS; Ruth Wyatt (Tom) of O'Fallon, MO; and Lisa Boyce (Ron) of Olathe, KS; dozens of great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Saline will be missed greatly by Carl Herring of Overland Park, KS who was her special friend and companion for 13 years. Carl's son, Joe Herring (Norma) and their extended family were also close to her.
In honor to her generosity and joy of giving to charities, as well as, love of beauty especially flowers, gifts of flowers, donations to the Rolling Hills Outreach Fund or a charity of your choice are welcome.
Saline's Celebration of Life will be at the Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church, 9300 Nall Ave. Overland Park, KS, on Thursday, October 10th, at 11 am in the sanctuary. Preceding the service at 10-11 am, an Open Visitation will occur in the sanctuary. The Deacon's, Church staff and family invite all to attend a luncheon reception provided immediately following in the Ralston Room. Interment will be at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Memorial Gardens at 1:30 PM.
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