KENDALL F. FOLEY

Dr. Kendall (Ken) Francis Foley of West Grove passed away suddenly on Jan. 27. He was 74 years old.

Born in North Attleborough, Mass., he was the son of the late Norman Foley and the late Lillian Laporte Foley. Ken loved sailing and was working through an ambitious "bucket list" with achievements that included skydiving, hot-air ballooning, ziplining, parasailing, riding a Segway, jet skiing and much more. He enjoyed judging the annual science fair for Chester County schools, he once ran for political office, and also served on the homeowners association board at Ovations at Elk View, including a term as president. Ken completed his undergraduate studies at Brown University in 1963 and furthered his education with a Ph.D. in chemistry from Penn State University. He was a valued 30-year employee of Hercules, Inc., in Wilmington. Ken enjoyed international travel, visiting over 80 countries as Director of International Sales for the company's Resins Division. He was instrumental in developing trade with China and other Far East countries for Hercules. He was a traveler, a romantic, a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a great friend and very proud of his grandchildren's accomplishments in sports, music and academics. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Ken was the beloved husband of Ann (Wurst) Foley; father of Gittan Foley Grover and her husband Alan; brother of Sue Foley Bishop; stepfather of Ann Marie Hess and her husband Ron, and Chuck Wurst and his wife Lisa; grandfather of Tyler Grover and Paige Grover. He is also survived by his step-grandchildren, Jessica Cyr, Madison Wurst, Robbie Wurst, Allison Hess and James Hess. He was predeceased by his first wife, Lyn Ostlund Foley.

Memorial donations would be appreciated to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, www.the mmrf.org.

BARBARA G. BEDDALL

Barbara G. Beddall, 87, of Crosslands, Kennett Square, died on Jan. 29.

The daughter of Douglas and Miriam (Baily) Gilpin, she lived as a child at Longwood. A graduate of George School and Beaver College (now Arcadia University), she was an active volunteer, including working at The Encore Shop, which benefits Chester County Hospital. She enjoyed golf and travel. She was a former member of the Kennett Square Golf and Country Club and Hershey’s Mill Golf Club. She and her husband spent many winters in Naples, Fla. She was a lifelong Quaker.

She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, John R. Beddall; and her brothers, D. Brooke Gilpin and Franklin Gilpin. She is survived by her daughter, Jane G. Beddall; her son-in-law, Christopher W. Brown; and her granddaughter, Margot Beddall Brown.

A memorial gathering will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to The Chester County Hospital Foundation or George School. Visit www.longwoodfuneralhome.com.

PEGGY PETERS KELLY

Peggy Peters Kelly, formerly of Kennett Square, passed away on Jan. 29 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. She was 79 years old.

She was born in Marion, Va., and was the daughter of the late Frank Wesley Peters and the late Virginia Ann Cullop Peters. She was the beloved mother of John Kelly and his wife Angie, James Kelly and his wife Alene, Robert Kelly and his wife Tracy, and Diana Lomas and her husband Kevin; grandmother of Joshua Kelly, Emily Kelly, Alyssa Kelly, Megan Kelly, Rachel Kelly, Jake Kelly, Brittany Pogar (Joseph), Devin Kelly, Richie Lomas; great-grandmother of Conner Pogar and Chloe Kelly; sister of Anne Peters Johnson and her husband Wes, Sr.; aunt of Wes Johnson, Jr. and his wife Nancy, and Carol Samsky and her husband Rob; and cousin of Henry and Joy Peters.

A funeral was held Feb. 6. Burial was in National Memorial Park in Falls Church, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Association of America (www.alz.org/donate).

MARK F. BRADHAM

Mark Franklin Bradham, 51, of Dover, Del., passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 25 at Kent General Hospital in Dover.

Born and raised in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of the late Benjamin and Frances Bradham. Mark was formerly employed with MBNA in the Fraud Department.

He is survived by one son, Michael Bradham (Ada) of Smyrna, Del.; one brother, Rhae Bradham of Nottingham; two sisters, Charlotte Gentry (Michael) of Oxford, and Rosemary Pedretti of San Carlos, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Isaiah, Jackson, and Liam. He was preceded in death by a brother, William Lee Bradham; and a sister, Lynne Gail Bradham.

A memorial service was held Feb. 12. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

CLARA LEO GATTI

Clara Leo Gatti, 89, of Kennett Square, died on Feb. 9 at Brandywine Senior Living at Longwood in Kennett Square.

She was the wife of the late John B. Gatti, who died in 1997, and with whom she shared 46 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Gus V. and the late Mabel (Ingelido) Leo. A graduate of Goldey-Beacom, Clara was a secretary and teacher’s aide in the Kennett School system for over 20 years. She loved working with children, particularly those who were underprivileged or dealing with personal or educational issues. She was a longtime member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. She loved the Phillies, listening to big band and piano music, watching classic movies and, in her early years, enjoyed bowling and playing tennis. During retirement, she continued to enjoy the many wonderful friendships she made during her years at Kennett, which she often said were some of the best of her life. During her last few years, spent at Brandywine Senior Living, she was often lovingly cared for by some of the young people whose lives she touched, and was even reunited with several of her earliest friends and acquaintances. The entire team at Brandywine Senior Living and Optum Hospice became her new extended family. Clara will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her, but her impact on our community and our youth will not soon be forgotten.

Survivors include three sons, Mark T. Gatti and his wife Karen of West Chester, John B. Gatti of Philadelphia, and Michael P. Gatti and his wife Darice of Vienna, Va.; one daughter, Michele Gatti of Kennett Square; one brother, Gus V. Leo of Salisbury, Md.; one sister, Connie Bailey of Lake Forest, Calif.; and two grandsons, Vincent and John Michael.

A funeral was held Feb. 16. Contributions in her memory may be made to Kennett Area Community Service or KACS, PO Box 1025, Kennett Square, PA 19348; or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

KATHERINE VIRGINIA DIEHL

Katherine Virginia Diehl, 78, of Oxford, passed away on Feb. 11 at Jennersville Regional Hospital in West Grove.

Born in Shamokin, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Russell, Sr., and Eleanor Kramer Williams. Katherine retired in 2010 from Superior Food Services in Woodlyn, and was formerly employed with Rob Ann Sports Wear in Chester as a seamstress. She enjoyed watching the Philadelphia Flyers and the Philadelphia Eagles, and was devoted to her grandchildren.

She is survived by two children, Debra Anderson (Thomas) of Oxford, and Robert Diehl of North East, Md.; three grandchildren, Melissa Crowell (Matthew), Thomas Anderson, Jr., and Craig Anderson (Stephanie); one great-grandchild, soon to be two; one brother, Ralph Williams of Oxford; two sisters, Barbara Houghton of Boothwyn, and Rita Williams of Oxford; one niece and several nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Russell Williams, Jr.; and three sisters, Marilyn Goepel, Elizabeth Zernell and Nancy Williams.

A memorial service was held Feb. 16. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MARGARET W. MYERS

Margaret W. Myers, daughter of Margaret and F. Howard Manley, passed away peacefully at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford on Feb. 4. She was 98.

Margaret was born in 1917 in Somers Point, N.J. She lived in Glassboro, N.J., for 53 years before moving to Oxford to live with her granddaughter, Catherine, in 2008. She had many interesting jobs, including as a cook at the Woodstown Hotel, as a clerk at the concession stand and later as a cashier at a Camden movie theater, and as a billing clerk with the Glassboro Water Department. As secretary of the Glassboro Democratic Club, she famously served tea to Lady Bird Johnson and Jacqueline Kennedy. She loved butterflies, baseball, people watching, crocheting, and sweet treats.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin L. Myers; and daughter, Marcia A. McDermott.

She is survived by her daughter, Janice C. Miller, and son-in-law Roger L. Miller; son, Benjamin L. Myers VI, and daughter-in-law Joyce M. Myers; grandchildren, Deborah A. Sannasardo, James F. Boyce, Sheryl L. Miller Hosey, and John Hosey, Catherine L. Miller and Brian Rebholz, Patricia J. Myers, Benjamin L. Myers VII and Molly Myers; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and niece Patti Jo Bernazzani and her family.

Funeral services were held Feb. 13. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

STEPHEN A. FARKAS

Stephen A. Farkas, 85, of Oxford, formerly of Westtown, passed away on Jan. 29 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

He was the husband of Iona Martha Maria Wolters Farkas, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage.

Born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, he was the son of the late Stephen Farkas and Edith Tamassy-Csepan Farkas. He graduated from Shaker Heights High School and Case Western Reserve University. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War. Stephen was retired from Cahners Publishing Company in Eagle, Pa., where he was a salesman in the electronics industry. Stephen was a member of the Philadelphia Area Sailing Association. He was an avid reader who enjoyed reading novels and history books. He was a skilled builder of wooden and plastic model boats and airplanes, and shared his passion for modeling with his sons. He loved vintage aircraft and took great joy in watching them at airshows. He was meticulous and spent his weekends doing many carpentry, landscaping and masonry projects around his homes. He loved classical music and traveling, especially to Europe and Cape Cod with his family.

He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Madeleine M. Henry (Leslie) of Oxford; two sons, Stephen P. Farkas (Jaime) of San Diego, Calif., and Paul A. Farkas of Gyor, Hungary; seven grandchildren, Blake Farkas, Rowan Farkas, Dylan Howe, Amanda Howe, Stevie Farkas, Andor Farkas and Erik Farkas; one sister, Mignon Donaldson of Ohio; one nephew, Stephen Donaldson; and one niece, Kriss Schwab.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. March 19 at Ware Presbyterian Home Chapel (7 E. Locust St., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. A luncheon will be served following the service. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011; or Willow Tree Hospice, 616 E. Cypress St., Kennett Square, PA 19348. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

HARRY W. RICKARDS, JR.

Harry W. Rickards, Jr., died on Feb. 8 at the age of 90.

Born in Chester, he was the husband of the late Kathryne E. (Jaworsky) Rickards, whom he joins in glory. Over the years, he had a unique love for the people in his life, from his congregations of Grace Baptist/Oxford, Calvary Baptist/ Tyrone, Oxford Fellowship/Oxford, Crum Lynne Baptist/Crum Lynne, and his home church, Maranatha Tabernacle/Darby (where he met and wed his wife-to-be, Kathryne), to the staff and special needs children of Melmark Home, Newtown Square, staff at the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, to his neighbors at the Antonian, Wilmington, and Regal Heights, Hockessin.

Over the years one of his greatest joys as a pastor was to join two loving people together in matrimony to share their lives. He had a special fondness for young people, starting a boys club for young men early in their Christian walk at Maranatha, through his church ministries wherever he pastored. He shared the gospel from the pulpit, youth conferences, summer camps and his radio programs in Coatesville and Tyrone, Pa., while supporting his wife’s own radio program, “Heart to Heart,” to consistent support of foreign missions throughout his life. He and his wife, Kaye, traveled to Alaska to support missionaries stationed there, and Harry traveled to Africa to join his late brother, Donald, to support his ministry there. Harry graduated from the Philadelphia Bible College and the Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He was known for his dapper hats, his love of all things ice cream, his favor for the color green, his signature dish of bacon and eggs and tater tots, his passion for old war movies (perhaps because he was on one of the first medic teams to arrive in Auschwitz at the end of World War II).

Those who will remember and continue to love him include his daughter, Cheryl Rickards of Delaware; son, Steven Rickards of California; and son, the late Craig Rickards (wife Susan) of Pennsylvania; sister, Dorothy Wagner of Florida; and grandchildren, Rhonda (Walt), Terry, Patrick (Carly), Tyler (Kate), Kelli (Eric), Lindsey (Nathan); great-grandchild Eliza; and nieces/nephews, Susan (David), Don (Betty), Valerie (Jim), Linda (John), and Dale (Valerie); and many great nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be private. As the Lord leads, you are invited to make contributions to Harry’s most recent favored charities in his name: Global Recordings Network, 41823 Enterprise Circle N, Temecula, CA 92590, 951-719 1650 (www.globalrecordings.net/en/donate); or The Salvation Army, Delaware State Office, 400 N. Orange St., Wilmington, DE, 19801, 302-472-0700, (www.pa.salvationarmy.org/delaware-command).

HELEN PAGE BRINN

Helen Page Brinn, 83, of Kennett Square, passed away on Feb. 11 at Kendal at Longwood.

She was the wife of Marvin S. Brinn, who passed away in 2010, and with whom she shared 52 years of marriage. Born in Glasgow, Ky., she was the daughter of the late Charles M. And Helen Mae Ellis Moore. She was employed as a physical therapist in hospitals before she had children, and also for a time was employed as a visiting physical therapist in the Wilmington, Del., area. Page studied music and received a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina, and then received a master's degree in physical therapy from Duke University. She enjoyed painting and drawing. She studied art during her later years at the University of Delaware and at Delaware Center for Creative Arts. Her beautiful paintings and drawings are proudly displayed in the homes of her children and elsewhere. Page also loved music and enjoyed playing the piano with her children and at parties. She also enjoyed playing bridge and spending time with family, including her five granddaughters. She died peacefully with all of her children caring for her during her final days. Her family is deeply appreciative of the staff at Kendal at Longwood and of the caring aides who were such a helpful blessing to Page and her family during the most recent year. Memorial services were held Feb. 16.

She is survived by two sons, Nathaniel Brinn and his wife Kimberly of Avon, Conn., and Cyrus Brinn and his wife Karen of Newark, Del.; one daughter, Winona Schwartz and her husband Fred of Grand Junction, Colo.; and five grandchildren. She was predeceased by a brother, Matthew S. Moore.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Page’s memory may be made to Neighborhood Hospice, 400 East Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19380. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

JOAN LAFFERTY PENNINGTON

Joan Lafferty Pennington, 79, of Avondale, died on Feb. 12 at the Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del.

She was the wife of the late Robert P. Pennington, who died in 2010, and with whom she shared 57 years of marriage. Born in West Grove, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Kathleen Groves Lafferty. Joan was a lab technician in the mushroom industry, working for several companies, including Oakshire Company in Kirkwood; and MGA Spawning Company, and Phillips Mushrooms, both in Kennett Square. She loved to crochet, do puzzles and read books.

Survivors include two daughters, Patricia K. Kennedy and husband Jeffery of Landenberg, and Karen L. Mellot and her husband Mike of Kirkwood; two sons, Robert F. Pennington and his wife Eileen of Landenberg, and Charles W. Pennington of Avondale; one sister, Kay C. Peirson of Peach Bottom, Pa.; five grandsons, Stephen, Thomas, David, Michael and Charles; and six great-grandchildren, Stevie, Kayla, Shyla, Caden, Burgan and Benjamin. She was predeceased by two sisters, Lenora Zimkowski and Arlene Schafferman.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 18 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). A funeral ceremony celebrating her life will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

JAMES A. DAVIES

James Arthur Davies, 85, of West Grove, passed away on Feb. 13, surrounded by his family, at Neighborhood Hospice.

He was the husband of Carol Fry Davies, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage. Born in 1930 in Honesdale, Pa., he was the son of the late William J. and Mary Elizabeth Edwards Davies. Jim was raised in Williamsport, Pa., where he learned his love for the outdoors and the simple beauty of nature. Hiking, fishing, and playing sports with his friends filled his youth. He graduated from South Williamsport High, where he played basketball. He served his country in the U.S. Navy Air Group, and was a proud veteran of the Korean War. Later in life he enjoyed his squadron reunions with this group. After the Korean War, Jim married his high-school sweetheart, Carol Fry Davies, and went on to graduate from his beloved Penn State University with a business degree, and was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. He went to work with RCA shortly after graduating. Jim retired as the vice president of GE RCA Patent Licensing after a long and impressive career that took him all over the world. Jim believed in serving his community and contributed in many ways. He was elected Fire Commissioner for Pocantico Hills Fire District in New York in the 1970s and later appointed to the Board of Directors of the Midway Fire and Rescue of Pawley’s Island, S.C. He also served as president of the Litchfield Plantation Home Owners Association in Pawley’s Island, S.C., as well as the Waccamaw Council of Property Owners Associations in South Carolina.

He was a member of the Litchfield Country Club and was an avid golfer and tennis player for many years. He also was an amateur radio operator, making wireless contacts with over 150 different countries. He received the honor of election to the DX Century Club from the American Radio Relay League, Inc. As a lifetime member of the Lutheran Church, Jim served on numerous church councils over the years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Stephen Davies and his wife Elizabeth of Sandy Hook, Conn.; one daughter, Christina D. Sappey and her husband Jonathan of West Chester; and five grandchildren, Julia, Truman and Henry Sappey and Jennifer and James Davies. He was predeceased by one brother, William Ronald Davies.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Feb. 20 at St. Michael Lutheran Church (109 E. Doe Run Road, Unionville). His memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 178, Unionville, PA 19375; or to Penn State University, 27 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802-1500 (giveto.psu.edu). Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

MARY LEO HOPKINS

Mary Leo Hopkins, 87, of Avondale, died peacefully on Feb. 13 at Ware Presbyterian Home in Oxford, surrounded by her loving family.

She was the wife of Robert J. Hopkins, Sr., with whom she shared 66 years of marriage. Born in West Chester, she was a daughter of the late Angeline (Ingelido) and Peter V. Leo. She was predeceased by her son, Robert J. Hopkins, Jr.; her sister, Rosemarie Leo; and her brother, Peter V. Leo, Jr. Along with her husband, she leaves behind three children, Christine Hopkins Rizzotte, Michael Hopkins and his wife Donna, and Gary Hopkins and his wife Elizabeth.

She was a member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Avondale, and also received blessings while attending Mass and Rosary service while she lived at Ware. A graduate of Kennett High School and Goldey-Beacom, she first worked as a secretary at DuPont Chemical Company. She then followed in her parents' footsteps by entering the mushroom industry, working for many years as bookkeeper for Frezzo Brothers and later at Greenhill Farms. In her younger years, she enjoyed roller skating, tennis and growing up with her many cousins in Toughkenamon, where she met her husband. She was a dedicated wife and mother who enjoyed playing cards, crossword puzzles, casino trips to Atlantic City, Saturday shopping with friends, and always loved having a house full of company. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed decorating the house and celebrating the holidays with family and friends.

She loved and was loved by her eight grandchildren, Diane Rizzotte Bucklaw, Nicholas Rizzotte, Kyle Hopkins, Kellianne Eckman and her husband Phil, Michael Hopkins, Jr., and his wife Kari, Jackie Hopkins, Gary Hopkins, Jr., Bryan Hopkins; and four great-grandchildren, Jeffrey Bird, Jr., Angela Bird, Jason Bucklaw and Zachary Eckman.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 18, and again from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 19 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). Her memorial service will follow at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. Contributions in her memory may be made to Willow Tree Hospice, 616 East Cypress Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

RAMON MIRANDA

Ramon R. Miranda, 76, of West Grove, formerly of Airmont, N.Y., passed away on Feb. 10.

He was the husband of Eileen Robbins Miranda, with whom he shared 44 years of marriage. 

Born in Sonora, Mexico, he was the son of the late Ramon Garcia and Carmen Rivera Miranda. Ramon was employed with UBS/Paine Webber in Weehawken, N.J., and retired in 2005. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard. Ramon enjoyed playing chess and reading science fiction.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Andrew Miranda of West Grove, and Gavin Miranda of Quantico,Va.; two sisters, Delia Martinez of Tucson, Ariz., and Maria Elena Herron of Gaithersburg, Md.; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Feb. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford). A memorial service will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Feb. 20 at the funeral home. Interment will be private. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.