DENISE F. MILLER

Denise F. Miller, 58, of Lincoln University, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 5 in her home, after a long battle with cancer.

Denise was born in 1958 and grew up in Kennett Square, a daughter of a Kennett Square mushroom grower and her mother who hailed from Naples, Italy. She graduated from Kennett High School in 1975 and went on to hold many jobs, one of which was her 33 years spent working at Unionville Chadds-Ford School District. In that time, she met and married the love of her life, John Miller, whom she shared 35 years of happy marriage and two children, Cassandra and Seana. Denise enjoyed spending time with her family, weaving baskets, music, painting, her faith, the beach and her beloved fur babies. She also enjoyed cooking and baking with her treasured mother-in-law, Katherine.

She is survived by her husband, John Miller; and her daughters Cassandra Neill and her husband Spencer Neill, and Seana Miller and her partner, Sean Henry; as well as her sisters Anna D. Cline, Maria D. Hamilton and her husband Warner Hamilton; and her brother Louis F. DiBartolomeo, Jr. She was preceded in death by her mother, Louise Irache DiBartolomeo; her father, Louis DiBartolomeo; and her sisters, Delores A. DiBartolomeo, Nancy L. Taylor and Elvera “Vera” Taylor.

A celebration of  her life will be held Dec. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square), and again from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Dec. 13 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (300 State Rd., West Grove). Her funeral mass will follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

HENRY J. CIARROCCHI, SR.

Henry J. Ciarrocchi, Sr., 93, of Avondale, joined his loving wife of 65 years, Italia “Edith” D’Amico Ciarrocchi, on Dec. 3 at Twin Pines Healthcare Center.

Born in Toughkenamon, he was the son of the late Achille “Charlie” and Maria Pappone Ciarrocchi. He was a mushroom grower, and partner in CNB Mushroom Company in Avondale, retiring in 1993 after 45-plus years in the mushroom business. Henry was an early board member of the American Mushroom Institute. He was a man of deep faith, a patriot who served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, and a devoted family man. He was a member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Avondale, and a member of the Malvern Men's Retreat Association for over 50 years.

Henry was a history buff and enjoyed reading, baseball, eating good food, and being with his family and friends. He was a benefactor to many charitable organizations.

He is survived by two sons, Henry “Rick” Ciarrocchi, Jr. and his partner, Margaret Barbine of Avondale, and Robert Ciarrocchi and his wife Suzanne of Alexandria, Va.; one daughter, Carol Griffith and her husband Michael of Gilbert, Ariz.; one brother, Albert “Chubby” Ciarrocchi of West Grove; two sisters, Mary DiSerafino of Aston, and Edith Haney of West Grove; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was predecease by one brother, Charles Ciarrocchi; and one sister, Yolanda Bush.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 7 at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church (8910 Gap Newport Pike, Route 41, Avondale). A funeral mass will follow at 11:30. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. In memory of Henry, a contribution may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

HARRIETT SARGENT FITTS

Harriett Sargent Fitts passed away at the age of 97 on Oct. 23 at Crosslands in Kennett Square.

She was born to Rufus and Rachel (MacLean) Sargent in Swampscott, Mass. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and will be missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd; her son, Edward Payson; and brother, Dana L. Sargent. She is survived by her children, Carolyn Bowman (James) and Rebecca Lawson (Edward); her sisters-in-law, Sally Sargent (Dana) and Vera Sjolander; grandchildren Rachel Davis (Curtis), Margaret Prothero (David), Amy Danko(Jeremy), Katherine Vaughan (James) and R. Barrett Lawson (Regina); and nine great-grandchildren.

Harriett "Hap" was active as a tour guide at Longwood Gardens, as a volunteer at the Brandywine Tourism Bureau, the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society and The Church of the Advent.

A memorial service will be held at Crosslands on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1626 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103; or The Church of the Advent, 201 Crestline Drive, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Burial was private.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

BARBARA A. DiFILIPPO

Barbara A. DiFilippo, 77, of Avondale, passed away on Nov. 29 at her residence.

She was the wife of Albert E. DiFilippo, who passed away in 2007, and with whom she shared 36 years of marriage. Born in Toughkenamon, she was the daughter of Anna Shaw Burke Martelli of Kennett Square, and the late John D. Burke. Barbara was a secretary for 18 years for Dr. Leonard Kanofsky in Kennett Square. She enjoyed doing crafts, crocheting, and was an avid reader. She especially enjoyed collecting antiques, pottery and gnomes.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by one sister, Ruth I. DiBenedetto and her husband Frank of Wilmington, Del.; one brother, Peter Martelli and his wife Denise of Toughkenamon; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral was held Dec. 6. Burial was in the Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. In memory of Barbara, a contribution may be made to Susan B. Komen for the Cure, Attn: Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

JOHN W. SINGER, JR.

John W. Singer, Jr., 65, of Cochranville, died on Dec. 1 at home.

He was the husband of Emily Pierce Singer, with whom he shared 11 years of marriage.

Born in West Chester, he was a son of the late John W. and the late Ann (Wright) Singer, Sr. He was a graduate of Unionville High School. He then served our country during peacetime in the Army. John was a small engine mechanic his entire life. There was virtually no engine he couldn’t diagnose or fix. He also enjoyed cutting grass, snow plowing and wood splitting. He was always working on something. He was a member of St. Michael's Lutheran Church for many years, and served on the property and management committee.

Survivors include, in addition his wife Emily, two sons, Roland Singer (Malleri) of Unionville, and Chris Singer of St. Louis Mo.; a stepson, Bob Perry of Kennett Square; a stepdaughter, Tammy Bush (George) of Wilmington, Del.; one brother, Jim Singer (Susan) of West Chester; four sisters, Dianne Therry (Bill) of Unionville, Susan Singer of Kennett Square, Shirley Myers (Dennis) of Damascus, Md., and Janet Singer (Henry) of Kennett Square; and three grandchildren, Miles, Colleen and Lori.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 10 at St. Michael's Lutheran Church (109 E. Doe Run Rd., Unionville). A memorial service celebrating his life will follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to either St. Michael Lutheran Church, P.O. Box, 178 Unionville, PA 19375; or Kennett Area Community Service or KACS, PO Box 1025, Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

HARLEY PETERSON

Harley Peterson, 96, of Oxford, passed away on Dec. 2 at Calvert Manor Health Care Center.

He was the husband of Rosaline Peterson, who passed away in 1982, and with whom he shared 30 years of marriage. Born in Poplar, N.C., he was the son of the late Joshua Cornelius and Darty Peterson. He was a welder at Wiley’s in Havre de Grace, Md. Harley enjoyed woodworking, baseball, and was a Phillies and Cubs fan. He enjoyed being with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by one son, James Peterson of Oxford; two daughters, Eva Osborne and her husband Keith of New Castle, Del., and Susan Monger and her husband Clarence of Nottingham, Pa.; eight grandchildren, Travis, Paula, Ashley, Cortney, Jimmy, April, Don and Daniel; and ten great-grandchildren, Sarah, Ryan, Ethan, Clay, Kameron, Kaden, Brianna, Shyann, Karsyn and Raelynn. He was predeceased by one daughter, Mary Gail Kelly.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). His funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Oxford Cemetery. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.