Sallie Kate Park

On May 26, 1935, in the small town of Ravenswood, West (By God!) Virginia, Sallie Kate Park was born, and 91 years of living life full speed ahead ensued. Sallie Kate (or Sissie as her West Virginia people called her) spent her early years running free on the family farm with her pony, Betty, and her imagination for companions. She was a lively, courageous, energetic child whose roots were in West Virginia, but whose branches needed to grow far and wide.

Where did her branches reach? She attended high school at Hannah More Academy in Reisterstown, MD, the country’s oldest Episcopal boarding school for girls. (Billie Captain, for those who know.) She graduated from Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA. In the aftermath of WWII, Sallie Kate spent a summer in London working as a Winant Clayton Volunteer, a formative experience that planted seeds of social justice that would grow throughout her life. She earned her Masters of Education at Teachers College, Columbia University in NYC. After receiving her Master’s degree, she returned to Hannah More Academy as a His/HERstory teacher, where colleagues introduced her to her future husband. Together they had three children. In the 1970s, apparently not tired enough, Sallie Kate earned a JD from the University of Detroit Law School. After the kids flew the nest, she studied psychology and counseling.

In the 1980s, a new chapter of life began with the opening of the Black Swan Inn. Sallie Kate loved the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts; it was a cultural hub replete with natural beauty. Harold Wright (principal clarinetist of the Boston Symphony) spent summers in our family’s cabin, and his beautiful music would roll across the lake. Concerts on the lawn at Tanglewood were magic and Sallie Kate loved them. Though busy with the inn, Sallie Kate continued her pursuits to help others, starting support groups for cancer survivors and victims of sexual abuse. She was active in the League of Women Voters, environmental groups, and social justice movements.

In the early 2000s, Sallie Kate moved to Charlottesville, VA to be close to family. In her later years, she traveled extensively, was very active in the Unitarian Universalist Church, supported the arts and social justice causes, remained politically active, and continued to explore the world around her. For 91 years, her branches never stopped growing. Yet the biographical details of her life don’t capture what it is know her, to feel the essence of the life she lived. She took risks to help others. She always rooted for the underdog. She loved tea, not coffee. She loved birds, not squirrels. She coached softball. She played basketball. She sought to know herself. She preferred odd numbers and fast card games. She was an athlete. She was an advocate. Her favorite ice cream was mint chocolate chip. She was all gas, no brakes. When she died on October 1, 2026, it was because her body gave out, not her spirit!

Sallie Kate was predeceased by her husband, Laszlo George Kish; her mother, Sallie Margaret Purdy Park; her father, Robert Kirk Park; and her sister-in-law, Mary Beth Park.

She is survived by her children, Alex Kish (Inna); Sallie Ross (Mike); Rob Kish; her brother, Bob Park (Marilyn); four grandchildren, and many beloved extended family members and “chosen family” friends.

Sallie Kate’s Celebration of Life will be held at 1pm on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville, 717 Rugby Road. In honor of her feisty feminist spirit and her belief in equality and justice for ALL, attendees are encouraged to wear their spiciest progressive or feminist t-shirt, or best witch costume.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any social justice or environmental cause of your choosing.

An online guestbook is available at www.compassionatecremationva.com

Compassionate Cremation Services of Ruckersville, VA is honored to serve the Park family.