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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of April 2

04/03/2018 03:50PM ● By Steven Hoffman

FRANCES CLOUD TAYLOR

Frances Cloud Taylor, 96, of Kennett Square, died on March 23 at Crosslands retirement community.

Born in 1921 in Wilmington, Del., she was the daughter of Willard and Mabel Keenan Cloud and grew up on her parents’ dairy farm, Sunstone Farm, in Kennett Township. She graduated from Westtown School in 1941 and Beacom Business College. In 1942 she worked in Washington, D.C., for the National Service Board for Religious Objectors. While there, she started corresponding with a young Quaker man serving distantly as a Conscientious Objector, who later became her husband. When her father became ill, she moved home and helped her mother run the farm after he died in 1944. In 1945 she married Thomas B. Taylor, and they shared almost 63 years of marriage until he died in 2008. Frances was a resident of Kennett Township during most of her life, settling on her parents’ farm across the road from where she grew up after she was married. She was a legal secretary in Kennett for 20 years. A birthright Quaker, Frances was an active member of Kennett Friends Meeting during most of her adulthood. She played the piano most of her life and especially loved to play by ear and compose. Her greatest passion was researching local history of the Underground Railroad and was probably the first local resident to recognize the importance that Kennett Square played. For 35 years, she and her husband spoke and showed slides to many groups of children and adults about local Underground Railroad stations and their “conductors”, often leading trips to the sites. She wrote two books on her findings: "The Trackless Trail" and "The Trackless Trail Leads On," both illustrated by her husband.

She is survived by her son, Willard Taylor (Nancy) of East Fallowfield; daughter, Katharine Taylor (Paul Gamble) of West Chester; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. April 15 in the William Penn Room at Crosslands (1660 E. Street Rd., Kennett Square). Interment will be private. Contributions may be made to Kennett Friends Meeting, P.O. Box 122, Kennett Square, PA 19348; or to Kennett Underground Railroad Center, P.O. Box 202, Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.


MELVILLE WELLS

Melville “Jay” Wells, 72, of Landenberg, died on March 16.

A Delaware native raised in Wilmington, Jay resided the past 11 years in Landenberg, and previously resided in Newark. A retired electrician, Jay was a member of The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 313. He was an avid train enthusiast and active member of the Tri-State Hi-Railers Model Railroad Club. His train layouts have been featured in train enthusiast publications and he could often be found at the York Train Collectors Association (TCA) train events. Jay also enjoyed the challenges of skeet and trap shooting, and was a member of the Southern Chester County Sportsman’s & Farmer’s Association and Atglen Sportsmen’s Club, Inc. He will be remembered for his kind acts of service, which included being a Christiana Care volunteer and supporting children at Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. Jay was loved throughout the community by his many circles of close friends and he will be deeply missed.

Jay was preceded in death by first wife, Cynthia (Melvin) Wells, who died in 1998; second wife, Gabriele (Eckler) Wells, who died in 2014; brother William Wells and sister Joanne (Wells) Wendler. He is survived by stepson Kenneth Eckler and stepdaughter Christy Eckler Black and husband Andrew; six grandchildren; nephews Albert Jr., Donald, Kenneth and Christopher Wendler; and a host of longtime friends.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. April 14 at Willowdale Chapel–Kennett Campus (675 Unionville Road, Kennett Square). Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 92 Read’s Way, Suite 205, New Castle, DE 19720; or Faithful Friends Animal Society, 12 Germay Drive, Wilmington, DE 19804. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.


JAMES C. MILLER

James Carol Miller (“Jay Bird”), 85, of Lincoln University, passed away peacefully at home, with family at his side, on March 26.

Born in Ashe County, N.C., he was the son of the late Roey Austin and Effie Miller. An honest, strong and honorable manm he lived every day by these mottoes: “With will power, the sky is the limit,” “If it is to be, it is up to me,” “Good Better and Best - Never Let Them Rest,” and “Do it.” James was a crane operator at Lukens Steel and retired after more than 30 years. He served as a three-striped Corporal in the U.S. Army. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, and was an avid car enthusiast, owning over 90 cars in his lifetime. He was very artistic and creative and loved to write.

He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Patricia Miller Rios; and grandson, John Steven Miller, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Hazel Wiles Miller; sons Michael J. Miller, David A. Miller, John S. Miller, Jeffrey J. Miller, and Joseph C. Miller; daughter Pamela A. Blakeslee; 13 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service in Ashe County, N.C., alongside his loving parents, will be held on a later date. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.


JUANITA BARE LAM

Juanita Bare Lam, 96, of Chatham, passed away on March 25 at Lancaster General Hospital.

She was the wife of the late Lee Willard Lam, who passed away in 2001. Born in West Jefferson, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Cardie Darnell Bare. Juanita enjoyed knitting, cooking, canning and yard sales.

She was preceded in death by a son, David Lee Lam; one daughter, Lennett Madonna; and 13 brothers and sisters, Inez, Anes, Gentry, Frances, Lloyd, Cecil, Delbert, Sanford, Betty, Irene, Algean, Josephine and Pauline. She is survived by a daughter-in-law, Miriam Lam of Quarryville; four grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral was held March 30. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

ROBERT “R.C.” C. SMITH

Robert “R.C.” C. Smith, 30, of Oxford, passed away on Wednesday, March 28.

Born in Essex, Md., he was the son of Jerry L. Sadler of Conowingo, Md. and Edith “Kathy” Smith Eller of Oxford, and the stepson of John L. Eller, Jr.

He enjoyed fishing, playing the slots and being with his family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by one brother, Daniel Smith of Wilmington, Del.; one sister, Shannon Smith of Baltimore, Md.; one stepbrother, John L. Eller, IV of Oxford, and his fiancé Amber Horn of Nottingham.

A visitation with his family and friends will take place on Wednesday, April 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Foulk & Grieco Funeral Home, 200 Rose Hill Road, West Grove. His Funeral service will follow at 8 p.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Edith “Kathy” Eller, 518 Wacousta Court, Oxford, Pa. 19363.

To view the online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com.

JOSE R. TAMARGO

Jose R. Tamargo, age 78, of Kennett Square, passed away on March 28 at Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community in West Grove.

At his request, no service will be held.

Jose was born November 7, 1939, in Ciego de Avila, Cuba, to Jesus and Irene Tamargo.

As a result of the Cuban Revolution, he came to the United States in 1964. Despite having to learn a new language, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Saint Joseph’s University. Jose went on to have a successful career with Merck, Bristol-Myers and Unilever, and put his two sons through college. He enjoyed swimming, watching classic movies, morning coffee and old-fashioned donuts.

Jose is survived and will be deeply missed by his wife of 54 years, Vivian Tamargo; his children Rafael Tamargo and his wife Alicia Tamargo, Hector Tamargo and his fiancée Denise Verdieck; his beloved grandchildren, Elizabeth and Gregory Tamargo, his sister Maria Alvarez and husband Pedro Alvarez; and his niece and nephew, Maria Lichorobiec and Pedro Alvarez, Jr..

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com

DOMINIC J. MANCINO

Dominic J. Mancino, 90, of Lincoln University. passed away on Wednesday, March 28 at Regal Heights Healthcare in Hockessin, Del. He was the husband of Sonia Bresciani Mancino, who passed away in 2011, and with whom he shared 57 years of marriage.

Born in Kennett Square, he was the son of the late Giovanni Mancino and Angelina Fazio Mancino.

He was a stone mason for Mobac in Kennett Square, retiring in 1988 after over 30 years of service.

Dominic was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Kennett Square.

He enjoyed gardening, watching sports on TV, stone masonary, trips to Italy, and being with his family and friends.

He is survived by one son, Richard Mancino and his wife Patricia of Kennett Square; one daughter, Liliana Altman and her husband Thomas of Lincoln University; three brothers, John Mancino of Embreeville, Albert Mancino and his wife Jeanie of Wilmington, Del., and Sebastian Mancino of Kennett Square; two sisters, Florence Morales and her husband Joseph of Wilmington, Del. and Mary Crossan of Avondale; six grandchildren, Erica, Joseph, Monica, Tommy, Nicky and Gina and two great-grandchildren. Nicholas, Jr. and Arlo.

He was predeceased by one brother, James Mancino.

A visitation with family and friends will take place on Wednesday, April 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, in Kennett Square. A funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 212 Meredith Street, in Kennett Square. Burial will be in St. Agnes Cemetery in West Chester.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

To view an online tribute or to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com.

DANNY ALLEN WHISMAN

Danny Allen Whisman, Jr., 37, of Rising Sun, Md., passed away Tuesday, March 27 at home.

Born in Lancaster, he was the son of Carla Janice Loggins Gehr of Rising Sun, Md. and the late Danny A. Whisman, Sr.

Danny was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in the SEALs.

Danny was a fan of the New Orleans Saints. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his mother; one daughter, McKenzey Rae Whisman of Colora, Md.; three brothers, James Norris, Joseph Norris and Shawn Whisman (Tina) all of Rising Sun, Md.; six nephews and five nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father; paternal, John Whisman and Anna Ward; and maternal grandparents, Carl and Margie Loggins.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 2 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford.

Interment with full military honors was in the New Bridge Baptist Church Cemetery, Colora, Md.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the funeral home to help with expenses.

Arrangements were handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MARY ANNETTE CARDEN QUINN

Mary Annette Carden Quinn, 89, of Oxford,passed away on Friday, March 23, 2018.

She was the wife of the late Cornelius J. “Neil” Quinn with whom she shared 60 years of marriage.

Born in Carbondale, Pa. she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Lillian Carden.

Mary resided at Ware Village, in Oxford since 2008, first with Neil in an independent living villa, and after Neil’s passing in 2011 in personal care until 2013, and for the last 5 years in skilled nursing. After growing up in Scranton, Pa. and attending Marywood University, Mary moved to New York City where she met Neil. She lived in Floral Park on Long Island most of her life, raising three sons: Michael, Brian, and Paul. Beyond being a homemaker, she appeared in several television commercials in connection with Neil’s role as a Madison Avenue advertising account executive, was a member of the Friends of the Floral Park Public Library, wrote poetry, and with Neil, developed an antiques business (Mary Carden Quinn Antiques). Mary and Neil exhibited early American primitive country antiques at shows in Pennsylvania, New York, and throughout New England from the mid-1980s until their last show in Rhineback, New York in 2007. While a resident at Ware, Mary made many friends, and was known to other residents and staff for her kind and gentle demeanor.

She is survived by a sister, Sally Erway of Selbyville, Del., and two sons, Brian A. Quinn and his partner, Martha May of Lubbock, TX, and Paul C. Quinn and his wife, Laurie Yarzab of Landenberg.

Services are private.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MARY ELIZABETH BROWN

Mary Elizabeth Brown, age 98, of Rising Sun, Md. passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Thursday, March 29. Born on July 24, 1919 in Nottingham, Mary was the daughter of the late Lewis Job and Edna Elizabeth (Reisler) Brown.

Mary worked for the Oxford Gas Company from 1942 to 1952 before she became a Secretary for Avon where she worked from 1952 until her retirement in 1981. She was an active member of “Greenstone” Presbyterian Church in Nottingham. Mary loved gardening, cooking and caring for her extended family of many friends, nieces and nephews who will all miss her dearly.

Mary is survived by Scott Brown and his wife Stephanie, their sons Austin and Tyler Brown, Gary Brown and his children Taylore and Coltin Brown.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Howard Reisler Brown, and nephews, Bruce and Richard Brown. 

In keeping with Betty’s wishes, services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to Nottingham Presbyterian Church and sent in care of R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., PO Box 248, Rising Sun, MD 21911. To send online condolences, please visit www.rtfoard.com.

M. ROSALINE T. HOLLOWAY

M. Rosaline T. Holloway (Sudol), age 87 of Kennett Square, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 29.

She was born in Weirton, West Virginia, the daughter of the late John Sudol and the late Julia (Puzzuole) Miller. Rose grew up in Steubenville, Ohio, and spent her later years in Philadelphia and Kennett Square.

Rose was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Patrick Church in Kennett Square.

She enjoyed painting, cooking, crafting and was an excellent seamstress.

She earned her Law Enforcement degree when she was in her 40s. She most enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved the Senior Center and traveling to Germany.

Rose is survived by her nine children, Susan, Karen Simons (Tom), Valerie Peck (Rob), James, John, Tom (Debra), Mary, Michael (Susanne), and Fitzgerald, 13 grandchildren and 8 great grand-children.

She was preceded in death by her sister Jean Price and former husband James Holloway.

There will be a life celebration on Saturday, April 7, 2018 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Kennett VFW Post 5467 at 704 W. Baltimore Pike, in Kennett Square.

To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecocares.com.

Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk & Grieco Funeral in West Grove.


HELEN A. REED

Helen A. Reed, 92, of Kennett Square, passed away on Wednesday, March 28 at Crosslands. She was the loving wife of the late Leon Reed.

Born in Eddystone, Pa., she was the daughter of the late John Abramchuk and the late Dora Yuschak Abramchuk. A 1942 graduate of Eddystone High School and the class salutatorian, she was a member of the National Honor Society and recipient of the American Legion Auxiliary Award (Grade 9) and played field hockey and basketball.

She was the secretary for the superintendent of the Ridley School District, and prior to that she was school secretary for the Eddystone School District. She was the founding president of the Delaware County Association of Educational Secretaries and a lifetime member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees Delaware County.

Helen was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Kennett Square and very active in the church's Sunday School. She was on the Board of Directors of the Chester YWCA, and a member of the Pickwick Club. A member of the Four Seasons Garden Club of Kennett Square, she was a District 1 Director GCEP, served on the board of directors of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania, and on the Arboretum School of the Barnes Foundation, in Merion, Pa. She was a Penn State Master Gardener (Chester County), and a Master Composter (Chester County). She was also a member of the Kennett Area Senior Center-implemented Flower Show in 1989, and chairman of Junior Gardeners of Four Seasons Garden Club in 1977.

She is survived by one sister, Ann Platt of Folsom, Pa; nephews, James Platt and Dennis Platt; nieces, Nancy Radonosdky and Susan Bauman; great nephews, Matthew Platt, great great nephews, Vanster Platt, Spencer Brown, Justin and James Bauman and many cousins.

She was predeceased by a stepson, David L. Reed; two brothers, John and Andrew Abramchuk; and two sisters, Mary and Natalia Abramchuk.

Friends are invited to visit with her family and friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, April 5, at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, 401 N. Union Street, Kennett Square. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Salvation Army, PO Box 689, West Chester, PA 19381.

To view the online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecocares.com.

Katharine “Kitty” N. Mullin

Katharine “Kitty” N. Mullin, 94, of Oxford, passed away on Thursday, March 29, at the Jennersville Hospital. She was the wife of Ralph “Jiggs” A. Mullin, who passed away in 2004, and with whom she shared 60 years of marriage.

Born in Kennett Square, she was the daughter of the late Hugh Aloysius O’Neill and the late Anna T. Grace O.Neill.

She was a retired branch manager at American Bank.

Kitty was a member of Assumption BVM Church in West Grove. She enjoyed being with her family and friends, especially baby sitting her grandchildren.

She is survived by two sons, Michael S. Mullin of Bowie, Md. and Samuel “Bo” A. Mullin and his wife Joy of Lincoln University, Pa; nine grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by one daughter, Sharon A. Neel; one brother, John O’Neill; six sisters, Jen Dunn, Peg Barwell, Helen Frederick, Marguerite DiNorsia, Marion Tilley and Grace Campbell; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild

A visit with her family and friends is scheduled from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4 at Assumption BVM Church, 300 State Road, West Grove. The funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery, Route 82, in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecocares.com.