LINDA A. SIMON

Linda A. Simon, 57, passed away peacefully and comfortably at her home in West Chester on Feb. 21 after her courageous, four-year battle against inflammatory breast cancer.

Linda was born in 1961 in McKeesport, Pa., to Robert E. Simon and Phyllis J. Pace. She was raised in Chadds Ford, where she graduated from Unionville High School. Much of Linda’s work throughout her life was spent selflessly serving her local community. For over 25 years she worked as a Dining Services Manager at Kendal-Crosslands, preparing meals for hundreds.

Though Linda’s real life’s work was done in the time she wasn’t working. She devoted all her attention to her family and friends. Linda treasured every moment with those close to her.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Robert Simon; and her mother, Phyllis Pace. She is survived by partner Cindy Meers; older brother and wife Ken and Dawn Simon; younger sister and husband Lisa and Jim Hicks; her four nephews, Robert Hicks, Kyle Hicks, Matt Murray and Jody Murray; and so many more she loved and cherished dearly.

A memorial was held Feb. 27. In lieu of flowers, Linda asked that donations be made, in memory of her, to the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation, P.O. Box 2805, West Lafayette, IN 47996. Visit www.ibcresearch.org/donations-fund-raising. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

 

ROBERT M. KELLETT, SR.

Robert Myron Kellett, Sr., 80, of Cochranville, passed away peacefully at his home on Feb. 15.

He was the beloved husband of Mattie Arlene Kellett, with whom he shared over 59 years of marriage. Born in Riverside, N.J., he was the son of the late Wilbur Kellett and Lena Brandenberger. Robert was a 1956 graduate of Oxford Area High School and went on to honorably serve as part of both the United States Army and the National Guard. Following his military career, Robert went to work at Gawthrop- Delchester Oil Company as a transporter and driver for over 40 years. He was a lifetime member of the Eastern PA Piston Poppers, the AMA, HOG, and the Retreads Motorcycle Club.

Robert is survived, in addition to his wife, by four children, Robert Kellett Jr. and wife MaryAnn of Oxford, Deborah A. Yarnall and husband Tim of West Grove, Ronald W. Kellett and wife Lisa of North East, and Randolph W. Kellett Sr., and wife April of Nottingham. Additionally he is survived by 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Rev. Richard Kellett of Northumberland, Pa. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Steven Kellett, Sr.

A funeral was held Feb. 21. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com.

 

FLORENCE MAE HARRIS

Florence Mae Harris, 90, of Lincoln University, passed away on Feb. 24 at Citizens Nursing Care in Havre de Grace, Md.

She was the wife of the late William G. Harris, Sr. She was the daughter of the late Melvin and Minnie Handy Anderson. She retired from RMR Corporation in Elkton, Md., after 20 years of service. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening and tending to her flower bed. She also enjoyed putting puzzles together. During her younger years, she also enjoyed going out with friends on Saturday nights to relax and have a good time. To them she was affectionately known as “Peanut.”

She is survived by her son, William G. Harris, Jr., of Lincoln University; a daughter, Lenore L. Williams (Robert) of Aberdeen, Md.; six granddaughters; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Constance Anderson of West Grove and Freda Anderson of Kennett Square; nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Catherine Brenda Brown; four brothers, Charles, Leonard, Richmond and Melvin Anderson; and six sisters, Idella, Virginia, Rachel, Mildred, Catherine and Courtney.

A graveside service was held March 1 at Oxford Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

 

SANDRA J. MURTHA

Sandra J. Murtha of Avondale, formerly of Norwood, passed away at home, surrounded by her loved ones, on Feb. 22, after a long illness.

Sandy was born in Philadelphia, where she worked at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and later Sun Ship in Chester as a coppersmith before retiring in 1986 to be a homemaker. Sandy enjoyed reading, gardening and especially cooking. Just about every holiday would be spent in Sandy’s kitchen, with Sandy cooking for a big family gathering.

Sandy was the daughter of the late Frank Ralph, Sr., and Helen Elizabeth McGay Ralph. She is survived by her husband, Michael P. Murtha of Avondale; four sons, Chester A. Skeba of Boothwyn, Heinz J. Beck (Amy) of Temple, Conan Beck (Carrie) Essington, Christian Beck of Coatesville; and three daughters, Sandra Skeba (Keith) of Nashville, Tenn., Lydia Beck of Kennett Square, and Diana Delaney (Kevin) of Glenolden. She had nine grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral was held Feb. 26. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Brandywine River Valley Home Health and Hospice, 121 Bell Tower Lane, Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

 

MARY EILEEN CHRISTY

Mary Eileen (Dolinger) Christy, 86, of West Grove, passed away on Feb. 28 at Silver Lake Center in Dover, Del.

One of ten children, Mary was born in 1932 in West Grove to William G. and Blanche C. (Hodge) Dolinger. She graduated from Avon Grove High School in West Grove in 1951 and attended Coatesville Hospital School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse (RN). In 1956, she gave her hand in marriage to (Paul) Rodger Christy. Mary graduated from Montgomery Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia and became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Over her lifetime she served in many hospitals and medical facilities in Pennsylvania and Virginia until she retired in 2003. Most recently, she was a member of the West Grove United Methodist Church. Mary had a lively sense of humor and was the person everyone loved to talk to until the Lord finally called her home after battling Alzheimer’s Disease.

In addition to her parents and her former husband, Mary is preceded in death by sisters Wave Paisley, Ruth Paisley, Levaun Dominick, Jessie Walker and Jean Hancock, and brothers Richard Dolinger, Bryan Dolinger, and Earle Dolinger. She is survived by her son, Rodger, and her two grandchildre; brother Raymond Dolinger of Atlanta; and numerous nieces and nephews and people she considered to be her children and grandchildren, especially Silvia Leake, her husband Tyrone and her children Ashley, TJ and Kaliyah of Dover, Del.

A viewing will be held on March 8 from 6 to 8 p.m., and a funeral will be held on March 9 at 11 a.m. at Edward L. Collins Funeral Home (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will follow at the Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, make donations in Mary’s name to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund at https://curealz.org/giving/donate/

ARTHUR W. MORRISON, JR.

Arthur Wayne Morrison, Jr., 84, of Cochranville, passed away on March 2 at his home.

He was the husband of Peggy Cangemi Morrison, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage. Born in Coatesville, he was the son of Arthur Wayne, Sr., and Pearl Johnson Morrison. Arthur was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He retired in 1996 from Lukens Steel after 30 years of service.  After retiring, he drove a school bus for the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, retiring in 2006. He was a member of Safe Harbor Baptist Church and a former member of Manor Presbyterian Church, both of Cochranville. Arthur enjoyed football, baseball, reading, and his cat, Sammy. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Deborah Ann Carr and her husband David of Nottingham; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Wayne A. Morrison; and 12 siblings. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on March 9 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends may visit from 1 to 2 p.m. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.  

LANA W. GILL

Lana W. Gill (Shortlidge), 75, 0f West Grove, left this earth on March 3 at the Jennersville Hospital, for her home in heaven.

She was the wife of Earl Shortlidge, with whom she shared 40 years of marriage. Born in Wilmington, Del., she was the daughter of the late Harry T. Woodward, Jr., and the late Isabel Jenkins Woodward. She lived in Avondale until she was about 2, then the family moved to Jennsersville, until 1954. After that they lived in New Castle, Del., for a year, moving to Cochranville in 1955. She graduated from Octoraro High School, class of 1962, where she remained class treasurer for over 50 years, due to her being on the reunion committee. Playing with other people’s money was her niche in life. She was a bookkeeper for Cochranville Block Company for 22 years, moving on to Brandywine Mushroom Company in West Grove, and Frank Battaglia, CPA, in Kennett Square, until she opened her own business in 1991. She was the treasurer of many organizations that she belonged to over the years. Lana was involved with the West Grove United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School for 10 years, worked with the youth fellowship and was on the administrative council. She was also a part of the Girl Scouts, being a “cookie mother” for a number of years. Avon Grove Band Boosters and PTO were also a part of her life. 

In addition to her husband Earl, she is survived by her brother, Larry Woodard of West Chester; her sister, Rita Phillos of Avondale; and stepdaughter, Mindy Gunzl of Newark, Del. She had nieces, nephews and an extended family of the Andersons, Shaubs and Camps. Her daughter, Missie Gill, passed away in 1989 and has been missed everyday since then. 

Her service and burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, make a donation 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.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.