Ko was airlifted to Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for surgery. She spent four days in the hospital and was discharged in time to travel to New York for her husband’s funeral. “He loved America, so he’s buried here,” Ko said.

She and Park met more than 35 years ago. Initially, Ko explained in Korean, she was attracted by his good looks. But ultimately she fell in love with his generous personality. “He was a truly honest person,” Ko said.

In the mid-1990s, they moved into Mercy Seat Church in Suwon, about 19 miles south of Seoul, to work and raise their two sons. Ko cooked for the church’s 2,000-plus parishioners, and Park helped take care of the grounds. In 2010, they moved to another church in the city, where Ko continued to clean and cook and Park drove the church bus, among other odd jobs.

Park worked constantly, going to bed after midnight and rising at 4 a.m. to open the church for the early service, Ko said. She and her husband believed their long hours and humble work “made God happy.”

Outside of the church, Park was equally generous, treating family visitors to pork dinners at local restaurants.

Read the article “For Widow of Slain Missionary, ‘It’s a Broken Plan Now’” on washingtonpost.com.