Skip to main content

Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of Dec. 22

12/23/2014 10:48AM ● By J. Chambless

IRENE GRACE HAUSNER

Irene Grace Hausner, 93, of Oxford, passed away on Dec. 15 at her home.

She was the wife of the late Walter Hausner. Born in London, England, she was the daughter of the late William Henry and Caroline Ballard Jones. She was a singer and came from a theatrical family. She performed for the troops during World War II, and there she met her husband, Walter. She moved to the United States in 1948. She was active in craft guilds. She wrote a column for one of the guild newspapers. After Walter retired, they worked with disabled group homes, discussing options for craft shows and selling their crafts. She was a retired bookkeeper and accountant for several companies. She was a member of the Oxford Senior Center and served on the Participants Council. Irene and Walter also had several rescue dogs.

She is survived by one son, Kim Walter Hausner and wife Marilyn Gross of Suffern, N.Y.; one daughter, Elizabeth Anne Hausner and husband Ira D. Binder of Oxford; and three grandchildren, Dan of New York, and Paul and Douglas, both of Oxford. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth Jones and Steve Jones; and one sister, Edith Jones.

A memorial service was held Dec. 18. Interment was private. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

ANTHONY J. MARTELLI

Anthony J. Martelli, 88, of Kennett Square, passed away on Dec.16 at his residence.

He was the husband of Betsy Sabitini Martelli, who passed away in 2010, and with whom he shared seven years of marriage. Born in Kennett Square, he was the son of the late Luca and Josephine Galante Martelli. He was a mushroom grower, and part owner of the family business, Luca Martelli Sons in Kennett Square, which has been in business since 1927. He served his country during World War II in  the U.S. Army. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Chuck, The Italian American Club and the American Legion, all in Kennett Square, and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, scuba diving and watching TV.

He is survived by two sons, Ernest Martelli and his fiancee Lisa Gormel of Kennett Square, and Stephen Martelli and his wife Beverly of Swedesboro, N.J.; two daughters, Cynthia Martelli Brotherton and her fiancé Geoff Hylton of Newark, Del., and Theresa Martelli Kupchinski and her husband John of Lewes, Del.; one brother, James Martelli of Downingtown; one sister, Rose Anderson of Oxford; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by one son, Anthony Martelli; his first wife, Mary Ann Stewart Martelli; and his second wife, Jennie DiBartolomeo Martelli.

A funeral was held Dec. 23. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

RITA ANN SARRO

Rita Ann Sarro, 88, of Kennett Square, passed  away on Dec. 17 at her residence.

She was born in South Philadelphia, and lived in Newtown Square for more than 50 years. She is survived by her children Linda, Laura and John; grandchildren Jenny, Kimberly and Johnny; and great-grandchildren Rosalee and Adrianna.

Her memorial service will be held on Jan. 17. Email your contact info to [email protected] for details. The family extends special thanks to Brandywine Senior Living, Willow Tree Hospice and the Kennett Area Senior Center. Memorial contributions may be made to the  KASC,  Assisted Senior Program, 427 South Walnut St.  Kennett Square, PA  19348. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

GLADYS EGGERS VATTILANO

Gladys Eggers Vattilano, 55, of West Grove, passed away on Dec. 18 at her residence. 

She was the wife of Richard A. Vattilano, with whom she shared 34 years of marriage. Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Millard and Mazella May Eggers. She was a cash application clerk at Herr’s in Nottingham for the past year and a half. Prior to Herr’s, she was employed at Edgecraft Corporation in Avondale. She enjoyed going to the beach, and being with her family and friends.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Mickie Mooney and her husband Michael of West Grove, and Andrea Lewis and her husband Rob of Toughkenamon; one sister, Joy Mullin and her husband Bo of New London; three brothers, Norman Eggers and his wife Tara of West Grove, Donnie Eggers of Swarthmore, and Kevin Eggers of Landenberg; five grandchildren, Brandon Lewis, Alyssa Mooney, Grace Mooney, Michael Mooney III and Audrey Mooney; her mother-in-law, Ennis Vattilano of West Grove; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one niece, Crystal Gail Vattilano; and her father-in-law, John Vattilano.

A visitation with family and friends will be held Dec. 24 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). Her funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

MARY ELIZABETH MICHELIN LUDLAM

Mary Elizabeth Michelin Ludlam, of West Grove, passed from this life at home after a valiant five-year struggle with cancer on Dec.19.

She was surrounded in love by her family and friends. Mary, ever optimistic and joyful, donned five different wigs at her 50th birthday celebration last month. She was born in 1964 in Ballston Spa, N.Y., to Dorothy and Henry Michelin. She grew up and attended school in Ballston Spa and Oneonta, N.Y. She was particularly committed to her jobs as a paralegal and property manager. Mary met her life's love, Gregg, and spent 30 years as his adoring wife. She was a renaissance woman, as gifted in the arts and decorating as she was in mechanics and building construction. She was smart, witty, compassionate and had a wonderfully positive spirit.

Survivors include, in addition to her husband Gregg; father Henry and his wife Bobbie; brothers Michael, Robert and his wife Trudy, and Peter and his wife Gina; mother-in-law and father-in-law Wendy and Bill Ludlam; stepfather Bill Downs; nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles and countless dear friends.        

A funeral was held Dec. 23. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in Mary's name to Penn Medicine Development, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104 to support breast cancer research at the Abramson Cancer Center in the Rena Rowan Breast Center.  To view Mary’s online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

CAROL S. RAIMATO

Carol S. Raimato, 68, of Kennett Square, died on Dec. 20 at home.

She was the wife of Frank J. Raimato. Born in 1946 in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Phillip M. Stewart and the late Dora Wicks Stewart. She was a 1964 graduate of Unionville High School and a graduate of Brown's Vocational School. She was a beautician at Crosslands Retirement Community for 27 years. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and her daily walks at Longwood Gardens. Carol was a loving wife, a wonderful mother and devoted grandmother. She loved to laugh and was full of life.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughters, Christine Raimato Boub (James) of Kennett Square, and Stephanie Raimato Scruggs (Jason) of Middletown, Del.; granddaughters, Julianna Boub, Samantha Boub and Madeline Scruggs; and her sister, Judith Mills (Carl) of Rehoboth Beach, Del.

Relatives and friends are invited to her funeral mass at 11 a.m. on Dec. 29 at Assumption BVM Church (300 State Rd., West Grove), where visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Interment will be private at St. Patrick Cemetery in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The American Diabetes Association, 150 Monument Road, Suite 100, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. Visit www.DellaFH.com.