Kathryn T. Tighe Wersler

Kathryn Wersler (Tighe) passed away on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at her home in Houston, TX. She was 94 years of age. She was born on March 3, 1918 in Philadelphia, Pa to the late, Charles I. Tighe Sr. and Frances Alland Tighe. She was preceded in death by her brother, Charles I. Tighe, Jr. of Hershey, PA, and her sister, Teresa of Medford, NJ. She was a 1935 graduate of Audubon High School, Audubon, NJ. She graduated from Temple University, University of Pennsylvania with a Masters in Education, and Drexel University where she earned her Masters of Library Science. During her time at the University of Pennsylvania, some faculty members were also involved in the Manhattan Project. This required her to have a security clearance from the federal government due to the secretive nature of the project. She worked for the DuPont Company in Wilmington, DE. She also taught for the Philadelphia School District. After her marriage to Vernon L. Wersler of Phoenixville, PA on February 14, 1953, the couple moved into their new home in Warminster, PA. On July 3, 1956, their family expanded to include their son, David. Finding that their home was too small for their favorite pastime of square dancing, they moved into their new home especially designed for this purpose.

Kathryn was employed by the Hatboro-Horsham School District for nearly thirty years as a school librarian and elementary school library coordinator before her retirement in 1983.

In 1970, after Vernon was involved in a serious auto accident, the home would now be the location of the Doylestown Christian Youth Ranch. For the next ten years, hundreds of teenagers would be welcomed to hear the message of the good news of the gospel, with many going on to Bible college and seminary, to become pastors, missionaries, and leaders in churches. This led Kay (as she was known) and Vern to spend two weeks at the annual Youth Ranch Conference at Hollywood, FL as chaperones. Years later, after Florida Bible College moved to Kissimmee, FL, Kay and Vern went and volunteered to work in the library there.

Not only did she set up libraries as a school librarian, but she also set up and organized libraries at the Lansdale Christian Academy, Plumstead Christian School, and Philmont Christian Academy, volunteered several summers at Florida Bible College in Kissemee, Florida at the Florida Bible College and also at their home church of first Baptist Church in Doylestown, PA. After thirty years of faithfulness to this work, the church named the library in her honor. She also volunteered at the Pipersville, Pa. Public Library.

In 1994, Kay and Vern moved to their third home in Plumsteadville on Tall Cedar Court.

During their time here, they continued conducting square dances at senior centers, churches, and senior communities. They stayed here for about 12 years and moved into Wesley Enhanced Living seeing that they needed assistance in their daily living. They moved to Houston, TX in June 2012 to be closer to their family.

She has served as a Sunday School Teacher, Deaconess, Vacation Bible School Director, Sr. Citizens Assistant Director, Youth Leader and member or chair of several committees. Her extraordinary commitment to volunteerism was acknowledged by the “Humanitarian Award” given by the Board of the Chapel of the Four Chaplains.

Kathryn is survived by her husband, Vernon; son, David and his wife, Pamela; three grandchildren, Stephen D. Wersler (currently serving in the US Army), Lydia R. Wersler St. Hill, Houston, TX, and Susanna E. Wersler Shumaker, Clinton, MS. And six great grandchildren: Tripp, Chloe, Logan, and Brayden Shumaker of Clinton, MS, and also Abigail and Hannah St. Hill of Houston, TX.