Obituary of Kay Romaine Lauffer Summerson

SUMMERSON – Kay Romaine (Dishong) Lauffer, 88, entered her heavenly home on September 26, 2024, leaving behind the Family Hospice, Pittsburgh. With family members holding hands and gathered around her and the “Amen” of her pastor’s prayer still on his lips, Kay rushed into the arms of her Lord Jesus and was greeted by friends and family members who had preceded her. After being satisfied with a cottage below, Kay arrived at her mansion just over the hilltop, where she now walks on streets of the purest gold.

Kay was born in Jackson Township on Sunday, March 15, 1936, the second child of Royden and Florence Dishong. She was a graduate of Ebensburg-Cambria High School, Class of 1954. A year after graduation, on June 4, 1955, in a ceremony officiated by the late Rev. Clair Gartland of Pike Grace Brethren Church, Kay married James R. “Jim” Lauffer, her teenage sweetheart and her husband for 23-plus years. They established their home and brought five children into the world, James H., Sandra K., Deborah S., Nancy L., and Daniel R. In 1982, nearly four years after Jim’s passing, Kay and Edward “Bud” Summerson exchanged wedding vows, and Kay welcomed Bud’s children, Lynn, Janet, and Lisa, into her family.

Kay was a woman of faith, having accepted Jesus as her Savior as a 6-year-old at Pike Grace Brethren Church. Subsequently, Kay was baptized, became active in the youth group, and memorized Scripture to earn money to attend national youth conference at Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana. Her memories of Winona Lake remained vivid throughout her life.

Kay’s faith expressed itself in her love for others. A bookmark in her Bible cites 1 John 4:7, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God.” Kay’s love for others was an accepting, comforting love – a love that moved her to pray faithfully for her friends and family. She turned off her bedroom light only after she’d prayed and read her Bible. During the past 17 years, perhaps longer, Kay’s goal was to read through the Bible every year, reading chapters of the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the poetic books each night. Like many Bible readers, she’d often ask, “What is the purpose of Numbers?”

Having worked a total of 31 years in the kitchens of Bishop Carroll and Central Cambria High Schools and Jackson Elementary School, Kay was an accomplished baker, known for her gobs, nut rolls, and cookies. She enjoyed putting together picture puzzles, doing word search puzzles, reading a good novel, and watching Law and Order SVU. Kay was an animal lover and never encountered a feral cat that she didn’t want to rescue. She believed that animals had a place in heaven and looked forward to reuniting with beloved pets that had gone before. Kay is greatly missed by Pearl, one of her rescue cats, and her Corgi, Fernie Kay, who was with her during her final hours.

More than anything, Kay loved her family. She embraced her roles as a faithful wife; a devoted mother, stepmother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; a loving sister; and a concerned aunt and great-aunt. On one of her bookshelves, Kay has a sign that reads, “Together is a wonderful place to be,” and for her, any get-together that included family and friends; more food than could possibly be eaten; and hugs, laughter, and talking was truly the most wonderful place to be. Kay enjoyed browsing card shops and was greatly pleased when she found just the right card for a birthday, a holiday, or a special occasion. During her final illness, she lamented that she’d been unable to send all her September cards.

Kay is survived by children, Jim Lauffer, Sandy (Scott) Ketner, Debbie (Phil) Handlon, Nancy (Greg) Zur, and Dan (Barb) Lauffer; stepchildren, Lynn (Jeanette) Summerson, Janet (David) Poutré, and Lisa (Paul) Gresh; sister, Linda (Pick) Johnson; brother, Barry Dishong; sister-in-law, Bernice Dishong; and brothers-in-law, Elwood Bracken and Bob Folckemer.

She is also survived by the following grandchildren: Joel(Jess) Ketner, Jordan (Rachel) Ketner, Jake Ketner, and Jamie (Linnette) Dueño; Allyson (Jake) Gardner, Joshua Handlon, and Caleb (Abby) Handlon; Jared (Leah) Bailey and Jonathan (Courtney) Bailey; Valerie (Jimmy) Leta, Dan Lauffer Jr., Rebecca Lauffer, and David (Emily) Lauffer; Alain Poutré, Emily Poutré, and Jenna (Travis) Neff; and Renee (Teddy) Rogers, Tom (Linda) Summerson, Katie Summerson, and Matt Summerson. Kay was great-grandmother to 21 great-grandchildren, aunt and great-aunt to numerous nieces and nephews, and cousin of many in her extended family.

Kay is predeceased by her parents, Florence (Devlin), who died two months after she was born, and George Royden Dishong; stepmother, Arvilla Dishong; first husband, Jim Lauffer; second husband, Ed Summerson; sisters, Carol Shank, Susie Folckemer, and Dot Bracken; brothers, Earl and Don Dishong; sisters-in-law, Jo Lauffer, Eileen Dishong, Colleen Lauffer, and Sarah Dishong; brothers-in-law, Ray Lauffer, Bob Lauffer, and Bob Shank; and nephews, Alan Lauffer and Tim Folckemer.

The family thanks the doctors, nurses, and caregivers at Latrobe Hospital, Shadyside Hospital, and Family Hospice for the care and attention they gave Kay during her last days. 
 

Friends will be received at 10 a.m. followed by a celebration of life service at 11 a.m. on Friday at First Baptist Church of Nanty Glo, Pastor Geno Bartoletti, officiating. Interment, Pike Brethren Cemetery, Mundys Corner. Arrangements are in care of the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Nanty Glo. Condolences may be left for the family at www.askew-houser.com