11/20/09

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Howard R. Layton, estate specialist
Howard Roy Layton, 65, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at Renaissance Health Care in Millsboro. He was born in Lewes to the late Roy H. Layton and Irene Isaacs Layton Elliott. He graduated from Georgetown High School in 1962, where he was co-captain of the undefeated football team and valedictorian of his class. Howard received his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pa., in 1967, where he was a Thomas B. McCabe Academic Achievement Scholarship recipient. He then received his MBA degree with an accounting concentration from Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., in 1972. Howard was a certified public accountant, working from his home office for approximately 35 years. He was also an instructor in the business department at Delaware Tech’s Owens Campus from 1975 to 1992.

After his retirement from Delaware Tech, he was a national seminar speaker through 2005 on estate and financial planning topics. Howard was also a certified specialist in estate planning. His memberships included the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Delaware Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Southern Delaware Estate Planning Council, of which he was a board member. He was a gubernatorial appointee since 2003 to the board of directors of the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF), member of the DCF Planned Giving and Professional Advisory Committee, member of the DCF Southern Delaware Advisory Council, special trustee of the Delaware Technical & Community College Educational Foundation and member of its investment committee, member of the Owens Campus Development Council and chairman of its planned giving committee, member of the Delaware Tech Legacy Society, board member of Peninsula United Methodist Homes Foundation, member of the National Committee on Planned Giving, member of the Delmarva Planned Giving Council and member of the advisory committee for the paralegal program at Delaware Tech’s Owens Campus. He was the author of several manuals on estate subjects for the education of tax professionals.

Howard will be remembered for his quick wit, brilliant mind and wry sense of humor. He enjoyed football, lacrosse, bird watching, traveling and bluegrass music. He was preceded in death by a nephew, Scott L. Pfeiffer, in 1990. He is survived by two sisters, Judy Pfeiffer and Bonnie Atkins and Ray of Georgetown; a brother, Jeff Elliott and Lisa of Delmar; a niece, Canice Kinnel and Steve, and a nephew, Brian Atkins, all of Georgetown; his stepfather, John T. Elliott and Barbara of Delmar; his companion, Jo Ann Staples of Denton, Md.; and her family, Katie Smith of Easton, Md., and Billy Staples and Kristin of Salisbury, Md.; and his beloved cats, Senor Puhtz and Little Girl. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff on the Rehoboth wing of Renaissance Health Care for their loving and compassionate care over the last two months. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 23, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday evening, Nov. 22. Pastor Don Murray will officiate. Interment will be in Union Cemetery, Georgetown. Contributions may be made to Howard R. Layton Scholarship, DTCC Educational Foundation, PO Box 660, Georgetown, DE 19947.

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Gloria F. Jewell, Georgetown resident
Gloria Fae Gifford Jewell, 73, of Georgetown, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. She is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, Francis “Frank”; and her children, Gloria Carlson of Wenonah, N.J., Debra Jewell and her husband Don of Mantra, N.J., Patricia (Doreen) Jewell of Somerdale, N.J., Frank Jewell and his wife Sallie of Westville, N.J., David Jewell and his wife Brenda of Sewell, N.J., Michael Jewell and his wife Shannon of Pitman, N.J.; her sister, Beverly Kizina of Conneaut, Ohio; her brother, Steve Gifford of Waco, Texas; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many loving relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8, in the chapel at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro. The family suggests memorial contribution in Gloria’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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Sue M. Preston Dean, Lewes native
Sue M. Preston Dean of Vero Beach, Fla., formerly of Greenwich, Conn., and Wilmington, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009. Born Feb. 17, 1917, in Lewes, to the late Sue W. Marshall and Joseph L. Marshall, a prominent local banker, Sue Watts Marshall graduated from Lewes High School and maintained close ties with the community throughout her life, in part through annual summer visits with her family.
She married the late J. Edward Schell, an executive with the DuPont Company, in 1936, and made her home in Wilmington, where she raised three stepsons, as well as a daughter and two sons, was active in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, established a successful real estate brokerage career with Patterson Schwartz, and served in leadership roles with a number of community organizations, among them the Children’s Bureau, the Junior League and the Flower Market, an annual benefit for children. Locating in Greenwich after marrying the late John F. Preston Jr. in 1964, she moved to Vero Beach on Mr. Preston’s retirement from the American Telephone & Telegraph Company, joining Trinity Episcopal Church, and serving as senior warden (1990-93), and as a member of the church’s Organ Selection Committee. After meeting retired Eastman Kodak executive Herbert W. Dean “on the dance floor,” she and Mr. Dean were married at age 82 and enjoyed 10 years of devotion to one another. In addition to Mr. Dean, she is survived by her loving family: her brother, T. Rowland Marshall of Lewes; and two sisters, Lillian M. Burris of Milford, and Mother Virginia of All Saints Convent in Catonsville, Md.; her daughter, Susan S. Symons of Chevy Chase, Md.; and six sons and stepsons, Joseph M. Schell of Lewes, R. Marshall Schell of Conway, Mass., William D. Schell of Millsboro, John F. Preston III, formerly of Vero Beach, Thomas P. Preston of Rockland, and Richard W. Dean of Williamsville, N.Y.; as well as by 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Services are planned for 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 28, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes.

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Lyneisha Cuffee, Ennis student
Lyneisha Caneice-Renee Cuffee of Smyrna passed away Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009. Lyneisha loved traveling, music and good home cooking. Though her life was short, she lived it to the fullest. She is survived by her mother, Sharri Cuffee of Selbyville; a sister, Tylee Cuffee of Selbyville; grandfathers, James E. Cuffee of Selbyville and Russell Collins of Berlin, Md.; her aunt Renee Cuffee-Williams and husband Jeffery of Newark; special friends, Vanessa Corbin, Margie Carroll and Mary Dalton; as well as her friends and staff of Black Diamond Hope House. A funeral will be held at noon, Saturday, Nov. 21, at Cross of Christ Church, 10244 Germantown Road, Berlin. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to noon and 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro. Burial will be in Curtis Cemetery, Bishopville, Md. The family requests contributions to: Black Diamond Hope House, 4966 S. DuPont Parkway, Smyrna, DE 19977; or to Howard T. Ennis School, c/o Kris Perfetti, 20346 Ennis Road, Georgetown DE 19947.

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Agusta Mae Joseph, Sussex homemaker
Agusta Mae Joseph of Milford, went to glory Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, at the Heritage at Milford. She was 105 years young and just one week shy of her 106th birthday.
Mae was born in Lewes Nov. 24, 1903, and raised there, daughter of the late Augustus and Fannie (Welsh) Webb.
She and her husband, Roy, lived in Rehoboth Beach after their marriage, later moving to Milford where they owned and operated Joseph Motors. They continued to spend their summers in their Rehoboth home on Rehoboth Avenue.
Mae was also a homemaker and an excellent Sussex County style cook. In her lifetime she has stitched zillions of stitches by sewing, needlepoint, embroidery and afghans. She was renowned for her handmade beaded ornaments. Her caring heart and generosity brought her joy in helping those in need, whatever the need may be.
Upon turning 80, she began long-distance travel by cruising the Mississippi, flying to Hawaii and touring her mother’s homeland, Ireland.
She resided at the Heritage at Milford for the past 10 months where she enjoyed the other residents and wonderful, caring staff. She loved all and everyone loved her.
Mae was a very active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Milford where she was a past deacon, trustee and women’s association member.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Roy Joseph; three sisters, Margaret Webb Joseph, Fannie Webb Marshall and Sarah Webb Welhelm; three brothers, Bradford Webb, Lester Webb and George Webb; and a great-granddaughter, Jaime Rollings.
She is survived by her daughter, June Joseph Lynch Grier and her husband William of Milford; two granddaughters, Mary Lynn Lynch Rollings and her husband William of Surry, Va., and Judy Lynch Emory and her husband Patrick of Milford; five great-grandchildren, Melissa Rollings Keckler and her husband Jason, Michelle Rollings Keckler and her husband Brian, Joseph Rollings, Hunter Emory and Janna Emory; two great-great-grandchildren; Peyton Keckler, Dawson Keckler and soon to arrive Tanner Keckler; and her cat Hardley.
Services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20, at Rogers Funeral Home, 301 Lakeview Ave., where friends may call two hours prior. Burial will be held in the Milford Community Cemetery on North Walnut Street.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963 or to Christiana Care Visiting Nurses Assoc., 2116 S. DuPont Hwy, Camden, DE 19934.

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Harriett J. Patterson, apparel shop owner
Harriett Jane Gordon Patterson, 89, of Lewes, passed away Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at Cadbury at Lewes, in the loving arms of her family.
She was born Oct. 20, 1920, in Lansing, Mich., the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Homer E. Gordon Sr.
Harriett was the wife of the late Lt. Col. Kenneth James Patterson, her husband of 57 years. In 1984, they retired as part owners and employees of Gordon’s Apparel and moved to Lewes to be near their family.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Deborah Patterson Marshall and Douglas D. Marshall of Lewes; her granddaughter and husband, Sarah Marshall Wilson and Kevin Wilson of Neptune Beach, Fla.; and her grandson and wife, Fred C. “Kip” Marshall II and wife Hope of Manhattan, N.Y.
A memorial service will be held at Saint Peter’s Church, Second and Market streets, Lewes, at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 28. Interment will be private. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made in Harriett’s name, to Cadbury Foundation, 17208 Cadbury Circle, Lewes, DE 19958.

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Mary Chandler, activist and teacher
Mary Chandler, 89, of Silver Spring, Md., and Rehoboth Beach, world traveler and lifelong activist for world peace and civil rights, died Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, at her Silver Spring home, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Born Jan. 3, 1920, the daughter of Travis and Laura Williams McGuire, Chandler grew up in Morton, Wash., and attended the University of Washington. During World War II, she moved to New York City, where she met her husband, Joseph W. Chandler. The couple settled in Silver Spring and in 1963 made Rehoboth their second home.
The doors of their New Castle Street home, with its purple porch, were always open, and chairs were always found at the dinner table for family, friends, friends of friends and all who came by. She walked everywhere and came to know generations of neighbors; she also worked tirelessly in her gardens and never met a beach chair she couldn’t fix. She continued to swim in the ocean every summer until 1998, the year she suffered a stroke in her Rehoboth Beach home.
Before that, she taught for several years at Belt Junior High School in Wheaton, Md., and later was among the first Americans to teach English in China.
Her grandchildren fondly remember the time she rescued a broken Catts umbrella from a trash can on the beach, carried it home and completely repaired it. The first time she took it back to the beach, a young Catts employee informed her she would have to return it and pay to use it. Although she patiently explained it had been thrown in the trash, but she fixed it so it was now hers, a police officer was called to the beach. Only at the officer’s request did she very unhappily return the umbrella.
She was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by son Joseph B. Chandler and wife Elyse of Lanham, Md.; daughters Laura Ritter of Rehoboth Beach, Kathleen Chandler of Buffalo, N.Y., Sheryl Moore of Silver Spring and Dr. Kelly Chandler and husband Dan Ziarkowski of Foresthill, Calif.; grandchildren Joseph, Kathleen and Gary Chandler, Megan Pamepinto, Abigail Mary and Karen Ritter, and Kaitlyn and Thaddeus Joseph “TJ” Ziarkowski; great-grandchildren Liam and Wylan Chandler-Isacksen, Lucius King Chandler, Mason and Ryder Pamepinto, and Eva Prado Chandler; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
In memory of her love of reading, the family suggests memorial contributions to Rehoboth Beach Public Library, 226 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach 19971.

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Barbara D. Hammond, former receptionist
Barbara Diane Hammond (nee McGonigle), 72, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, at Christiana Hospital in Newark. Born in Orange, N.J., Barbara was the daughter of John and Rose McGonigle. She grew up in Newark, N.J. and graduated from Barringer High School. Barbara was a longtime resident of Morris Township, N.J. until moving to Lewes in 2000. In her younger years, she was employed as a medical receptionist for Dr. Vail and Dr. Stelio Mangiola in Morristown. The majority of her years were spent raising her family. Barbara was an excellent cook and an avid reader.
While living in Morristown, she was active with the Literacy Volunteers of America. She also enjoyed playing tennis and bridge and traveling with her husband. She especially loved spending time with her five grandchildren, Kelly Hammond, Caitlin Hammond, Amanda Holt, Chloe Wong and Stevie Wong.
She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Jack Hammond; her son Michael Hammond of Hillsborough, N.J. and wife Diane; her daughter Karen Holt of Centreville, Va. and husband Lee; and daughter Donna Wong of Hillsborough and husband John; her sister Rosemarie Bock of Las Vegas, Nev.; and her brother Danny McGonigle of Bloomfield, N.J. She was predeceased by a sister, Joan Boetger of Erie, Pa.; and brother John McGonigle of Newark.
Relatives and friends are invited for visitation at the Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Ave., Morris Plains, N.J., from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20. Funeral services are scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 21, at St. Virgil’s Catholic Church, 250 Speedwell Ave., Morris Plains.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association in memory of Barbara Hammond.

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Everett C. Messick, electrical engineer
Everett “Ev” C. Messick, 69, of Lewes, formerly of Wilmington, passed away Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009 at his residence. Born July 6, 1940, in Pocomoke City, Md., he was the son of the late Everett and Virginia Moore Messick.
He retired after 32 years as a senior electrical engineer for the Hercules Corp. of Wilmington and traveled for the company.
Ev was an avid fisherman, and enjoyed boating and doing photography.
He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Carolyn Martz Messick of Lewes; three sons, Steven M. Messick of Wilmington, Brian E. Messick of Bayfield, Colo., and Jeffrey C. Messick of Rehoboth; two stepsons, Scott A. Smith of Wilmington and Charles E. Smith III and wife Marci of Covington, La.; one sister, Jean Robinson of Wilmington; three grandchildren, Donna, Karen and Mark; and seven nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Donald Messick.
All services for Everett will be private. The family suggests memorial contributions to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium Inc., Lewes.

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Mary E. Passwaters, retired office manager
Mary E. Passwaters, 83, of Smyrna, passed away at the home of her son, Dale Passwaters, Monday, Nov. 16, 2009.
Mrs. Passwaters was born July 29, 1926, in Lewes, the daughter of the late Clifford Johnson Sr. and Lida Steele Johnson. She worked as an office manager for ARA Vending Company in Newark for 25 years before retirement.
Mrs. Passwaters enjoyed babysitting for her grandchildren and reading. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Risden Passwaters; and her brother, Clifford Johnson.
In addition to her son, Dale and his wife Sharon, she is survived by two sisters, Phylis Cooper of Bel Air, Md., and Margaret Yakimowicz of Lewes; two grandchildren, Greg Passwaters and Nichole Kibler; and her great-grandchildren, Ashlie, Chase and Dylan.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Saturday Nov. 21, in the Faries Funeral Chapel, 29 South Main St., Smyrna, where friends may call one hour prior to the services.
Burial will be private.
Arrangements are by Faries Funeral Directors and Crematorium Inc., 29 South Main St., Smyrna.

Gregory R. Raffaelli, box office director
Gregory R. Raffaelli, 44, of Midland Park, N.J., died Friday, Nov. 13, 2009.
He grew up in Tabernacle, N.J., before moving to Midland Park in 1993. Greg was a box office manager at Madison Square Garden before becoming the director of the box office at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Greg received his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University where he played football, earned three varsity letters and met his wife Lisa. Greg enjoyed coaching his son and other children for the Midland Park Pee Wee Panthers. He was also an avid N.Y. Giants and Yankees fan.
He is survived by his loving wife Lisa; his beloved children Lauren and Ryan; his parents Richard and Judith Raffaelli of Lewes; his sister Deanna Magrane and her husband Jeff, and their three children Caitlin, Andrew and Erin of Farmingdale, N.Y. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Jenny Tryanowski; his sister-in-law Karen Olszewski and her husband Tom, their two children Billy and Analis, and his sister-in-law Joy Tryanowski, all of Upper Saddle River, N.J. Visiting was Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, Wyckoff, N.J. A memorial service is set for 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 20, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 96 East Allendale Road, Saddle River. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for Lauren and Ryan Raffaelli’s education may be made to the Vanguard 529 College Savings Plan, c/o Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 96 East Allendale Road, Saddle River, NJ 07458.

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June D. McCarson, dress shop retiree
June D. McCarson, 78, of Lewes went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2009.
Mrs. McCarson was born in Baltimore, Md., daughter of the late Charles Joseph and Myrtle Lupus Heim. She had been employed as a customer associate for a dress shop. June always enjoyed the Christmas holidays and decorations and said her 75th birthday party was the best ever. She spent many happily married years with her husband Bill McCarson in Mystic, Conn., until his passing in 1986. She was also predeceased by her sister, Charlotte Heim, in 2005; and her brother George in 1970. June is survived by her caregivers Katherine and Deb and her many friends and always appreciated the nursing staff at the wound center. Funeral services were held Thursday, Nov. 19, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes, with interment private. Contributions are suggested to Baldwin United Methodist Missions Program, P.O. Box 12, Elk Mills, MD 21920.

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Dorotha L. Millman, former Sears employee
Dorotha Louise Millman, 68, of Lewes, went to be with her Lord Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, at her residence. She was born July 5, 1941, in Athens, Tenn., daughter of the late Owens and Frances Elliott Crittenden. She was the wife of the late Enoch Preston Millman, who passed away in 1991.
Mrs. Millman had worked for many years at the Sears store at Midway Shopping Center. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lewes and was an avid quilter and gardener.
Surviving are her son, Jeff Millman and wife Terri of Lewes; daughter, Cynthia Millman Brumit and husband Steve of Kingsport, Tenn.; granddaughters Allison, Jennifer and Stephanie Brumit, all of Kingsport; grandson Zachary Millman and granddaughter Nicole Millman, both of Lewes; a sister, Connie Hudson and husband Rick of Georgetown; and three nephews. Funeral services were held Thursday Nov. 19, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes, with interment in White’s Chapel Cemetery, near Lewes.
Memorial contributions may be sent to First Baptist Church of Lewes, 1001 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958.

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Frank H. Abbott, labor attorney
Frank H. Abbott, 90, a prominent Philadelphia, Pa. labor attorney for more than 45 years, died Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, at St. Luke’s Hospice in Bethlehem, Pa. He follows in death his beloved wife of 63 years, Elisabeth Dunigan Abbott. Mr. Abbott, who was born May 6, 1919, in East Lansdowne, Pa., was a graduate of West Catholic High School, Villanova University and Temple University School of Law. After graduating from Villanova with a degree in electrical engineering, Mr. Abbott worked at RCA during the final stages of the development of radar and the early stages of the development of television. At the beginning of World War II he entered the U. S. Navy, where he helped train naval aviators in the use of radar. Eventually he was deployed to the Pacific Theater where he served on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hancock. While in the Navy, Mr. Abbott attained the rank of lieutenant commander. After the war Mr. Abbott attended Temple University School of Law from which he graduated in 1949 with an L.L.B. During law school he supported his young family by working nights as a projectionist at the Trans Lux Theatre in Philadelphia. Upon graduation, he joined the firm of Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis where he remained throughout his career. During that career he represented management in labor negotiations. Among his clients were United Parcel Service, Coca-Cola, Independence Blue Cross and Blue Shield, The Delaware Valley Hospital Council, Wawa Dairies and The National Basketball Association. His only labor union client was The International Association of Motion Picture Operators and Theatrical Stage Employees, of which he remained a member until his death. His father had been president of the Philadelphia local. He also developed a sub-specialty in hospital law that led to his serving as chief executive of the Mercy Catholic Medical Center for a number of years. For many years Mr. Abbott served on the board of trustees of the Mercy Catholic Medical System. An avid golfer, Mr. Abbott was a member of Merion Golf Club, Aronimink Golf Club and Rehoboth Beach Country Club. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott retired to Henlopen Acres near Rehoboth in 1996. Mr. Abbott was also a longtime member of the Union League. Prior to relocating to Rehoboth Beach, Mr. and Mrs. Abbott lived in Berwyn, Pa., where they attended St. Norbert’s Roman Catholic Church in Paoli, Pa. In later years they attended St. Edmond’s in Rehoboth. Mr. Abbott is survived by his three sons and their wives, Mr. and Mrs. Francis H. Abbott Jr. of West Chester, Pa., Dr. and Mrs. Terence O. Abbott of Bath, Pa., and Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Abbott of Cochranville, Pa. Mr. Abbott has nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is planned at St. Edmond’s Roman Catholic Church at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 28. Internment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Mercy Health Foundation, One West Elm St., Conshohocken, PA 19482.