James Miles Parsly

James M. “Jim” Parsly, age 93, a resident of Cathedral Village in Roxborough, PA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife Sarah H. “Sally” Parsly in 2018.

As a young couple, Jim and Sally settled in his hometown of Chestnut Hill, PA and they remained there until moving to her family home in Linwood, NJ upon retirement. Jim enjoyed a long, fulfilling career as a systems analyst with IBM while Sally was a teacher at the Springside School. Together, they loved traveling the world and were involved with many civic and cultural organizations in the Philadelphia area and, later, in New Jersey. They were both devoted volunteers for the Children’s Seashore House and its Auxiliary. Sally’s father, Dr. Edward Holt, was medical director of the pediatric hospital from 1919 until 1949, a transformative time when the institution grew into a modern pediatric center offering physical therapy, a research laboratory, and social services. Jim and Sally carried on Dr. Holt’s legacy of kindness, care and philanthropy which were the foundation of the Seashore House’s early success. Sally served as President of the Auxiliary for many years and Jim was always there to support her in that generous work. Jim was a thoughtful, loving, brilliant man who often surprised others with his quick wit and colorful sense of humor. He and Sally were the perfect pair, and they built a beautiful life together.

Jim was the son of Lewis Fuller Parsly and Hester Anderson Parsly. He was predeceased by brothers Lew, Andy, John, and his twin sister Cornelia “Cornie” Walton. He will be greatly missed by his nieces Betsy Duryea (Dick), Cindy Stauffer (Larry), and Frida Walton. A private burial will be held at the West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, PA. Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Children's Seashore House at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) at www.chop.edu/giving.