Carolyn “Kelly” Slingland Truitt

At the heart of Kelly’s life was her family. She was their beloved matriarch. She took every opportunity to spend time with family, and attended every possible event for each family member. Kelly maintained her friendships throughout life. She was the keeper of memories and history, as well as the family storyteller. Her life was characterized by loving those around her, volunteering, exuding faith in God, showing hospitality, living fiercely and independently while keeping a busy social calendar, and filling her spare time with music, books, and cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles. She traveled the world extensively on six continents, visiting 38 countries and all 50 U.S states, seeing the final two in the last year of her life. She inspired many by living everyday with energy, courage, hope, and most of all, faith.

Carolyn “Kelly” Marie Slingland was born February 28, 1925, in Paterson, New Jersey. She grew up surrounded by extended family who remained close throughout her life. She graduated from Ridgewood High School where she played piano, sang, and was a cheerleader. She earned a music scholarship to Oberlin College, graduating in 1946 with a degree in Music Education and minors in piano, voice, English, and physical education. At Oberlin, she met James “Jim” William Truitt. The two were married on June 29,1946. They remained life-long supporters of Oberlin, serving as co-presidents of the Alumni Association.

Kelly and Jim welcomed their children James “Jim” William, Jr, 1953; Nancy Ann, 1956; and Ralph Slingland, 1959. Kelly was the glue that kept the family close together through multiple moves; starting in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Wilmington, Delaware, to Houston, Texas, to Omaha, Nebraska, to Kansas City, Kansas, to Atlanta, Georgia, to San Francisco, California, then overseas to Sydney, Australia, and finally settling in Wilmington, Delaware in 1969 where they met their “daughter-in-love” Catherine “Cath” Sentman.

Kelly valued volunteer work, and it became her profession. In 1967, while living in Sydney, she coordinated the Rest and Relaxation program for servicemen on leave from duty in Vietnam. The Truitt family hosted many servicemen in their home. She was elected chairman of the board of Contact Teleministries in 1980 where she oversaw 3,600 volunteers in 96 suicide crisis call centers throughout 28 states. Her work with them began by taking calls, and later she formed the Wilmington, Delaware, chapter of Contact. For her efforts, Kelly was awarded the President’s Volunteer Action Award by President Reagan in 1982.

A brilliant pianist, Kelly shared her musical talents for others’ enjoyment and as an act of worship. In 1984, she coordinated the 200th anniversary celebration of World Methodism in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. Kelly was a life-long volunteer with the United Methodist Women, hosting monthly circles and served a term as President in her local church. Later in life she volunteered as a docent at Winterthur. When her grandson swam for University of Delaware, she enjoyed being the team “grandma”, bringing homemade cookies to swim meets.

Spending summers at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, was central to Kelly’s life. A third generation Ocean Grover, Kelly was actively involved in the Ocean Grove community. She was a member of the Auditorium Choir for 83 years. From 1982 until 1988, she served as “first lady” of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, while Jim served as President. She volunteered for many summers to play hymns during Bible Hour, sometimes six days a week including the summer of 2019 at age 94. For 25 years, she introduced programs at the Auditorium, coining the phrase “Great Auditorium”. As a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, she volunteered regularly, her favorite being the “jewelry table” at the bazaar, where she worked with other women in her family. During the summertime she developed a life-long love of the beach, ocean, riding waves, and collecting sea glass. In 2017, she was honored as the Grand Marshall of the 4th of July parade. Most significantly to her, Kelly inspired the generations after her to share in her love of Ocean Grove.

As a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church for 51 years, she was a choir member, as well as soloist and accompanist. In the 1970s, she led the Good News Gals, singing and playing the piano to raise funds for the church. With Jim, she led the Methodist Youth Fellowship and taught Sunday school. For the last 15 years, she was the jewelry chair for the annual rummage sale. Kelly also cheerfully played piano whenever called upon. She was an admired and loved member of the Aldersgate church community.

Surrounded by family, Kelly joined the love of her life, Jim, on the morning of February 21, 2020. Kelly is predeceased by her parents: George K. and Charlotte Slingland, her husband James “Jim” Truitt, her brother, George Slingland and his wife, Anne. She is survived by her sister: Nancy Field; her children: James “Jim” Truitt and wife Susan; Nancy Ann Gillan and husband William “Bud”; Ralph Truitt and wife Cindy; “daughter-in-love” Catherine “Cath” Anderson and husband John; her grandchildren: Jamie Gillan; Megan Cho and husband Sung-Woo and their daughter Brielle; James Truitt and wife Sandra; Hans Gillan; and “granddaughter-in-love” Marina “Allie” Anderson as well as by many cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and many, many beloved friends.

In lieu of flowers or other tributes, memorial gifts may be made to the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, American Treasure Program, 54 Pitman Ave, Ocean Grove, NJ, 07756 or online at www.oceangrove.org.

Condolences and memories can be shared on the Chandler Funeral Home website, or mailed to the Truitt Family, 2208 Crest Rd, Baltimore, MD, 21209.