Skip to main content

Chester County Press

Obituaries week of Dec. 9

12/09/2019 03:20PM ● By Steven Hoffman

JOHN BERNARD “BARNEY” SMYTH

John Bernard “Barney” Smyth, 89, of Nottingham, passed away on Dec. 4 at Ware Presbyterian Village, Oxford.

He was the husband of the late Jannida Henderson Smyth with whom he shared 58 years of marriage.

Born in West Nottingham Township, he was the son of the late James Francis and Ebba Johnson Smyth.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He served in the Korean War.

John was a member of the Church of the Sacred Heart, Oxford and Swayne-Campbell-Testa Post #5467 VFW, Kennett Square.

He enjoyed watching the Philadelphia Eagles, gardening, making bird houses, feeding the birds and working.

He is survived by his children: Nina M. Shepet of Nottingham; John D. Smyth (married to Terry) of Oxford; James B. Smyth (married to Rita) of Lincoln University; Daniel P. Smyth (married to Kimberly) of Nottingham; Christopher P. Smyth of Peach Bottom; ten grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren.

A prayer service was held on Dec. 8 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford.

Interment was in Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2117.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com

SHARON “SHERRY” MCCRERY HANNUM

Sharon “Sherry” McCrery Hannum, passed away at her home on Dec. 1 in the company of her loving family. She was born on March 19, 1945 in Wilmington, Del. to the late William H. and Francis C. McCrery. She was preceded in death by her sister, Maureen “Ree” Runge. Sherry is survived by her husband of 54 years, Courtland C. Hannum; her brother, Bill McCrery and wife Penny; her three children, Doug Hannum, William Hannum (and wife Susan), Stephanie Watkins (and husband Todd); her six grandchildren, Courtney and Amy Hannum, and Noah, Hannah, Samuel, and Adam Watkins; and numerous nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.

Along with being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Sherry spent 55 years in the medical field as a radiology technologist, specializing in women’s health. She began her career in Wilmington, Del. in 1964 and from 1989 to 2019 worked in Loudon County, VA with the practice of Dr. Joseph P. Finizio, Radiology Imaging Associates (RIA). She was known in the Loudon Medical Community as the “mammography tech” of Loudon County. She was incredibly well liked by her patients and when she switched offices, the majority of them followed her. Each technician she trained will be recognized, with a special pin, for the high level of expert training they received from her.  Sherry thoroughly enjoyed her career, her coworkers, and her patients.

Sherry loved spending time by her pool and travelling.  She travelled with her husband, close friends, and family to many wonderful destinations including London, Amsterdam, Italy, Norway, Colombia, Montreal, and all over the United States. Sherry instilled a sense of adventure in all of her grandchildren and was always telling them, “We are making memories.”  She will always be remembered for her unconditional love and joy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of Frederick County, MD. At www.frederickhealthhospice.org. Interment will take place on Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. at West Grove Friends Meeting, 153 E Harmony Rd, West Grove. A Celebration of Life will follow. For more information, visit www.resthaven.us.

ANN HILL

Ann Hill, 54, passed away while surrounded by family and friends on Nov. 28. She died after a battle with cancer.

Born on Sept. 1, 1965 in Philadelphia to Jane C. Hill (now MacElree) and the late Louis G. Hill, Ann was one of seven children and has ten nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her mother, Jane C. MacElree, of Newtown Square, Pa. and siblings Crawford Hill (married to Suzie) of Ardmore, Pa.; Leslie Hill (married to Dennis Carroll) of Chevy Chase, Md.; Jessie B. Hill (married to Ming Fang) of Kauai, Hawaii; Thomas G. Hill (married to Nancy Hagens) of Newton, MA; Michael C. Hill (married to Susan Bear) of Newton, MA; and Charlotte Hill, (married to Marc Henrich) of San Francisco, CA. Ann is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews: Hadley Hill, Connor Hill, Katherine Carroll, Charlotte Carroll, Eliana Henrich, Miranda Henrich, Wyatt Hill, Jessie R. Hill, Lucas Hill and Ian Hill.

Ann was a lover of animals, an avid competitive equestrian, lover of all things lobster and a chocolate enthusiast extraordinaire. She was a faithful volunteer at Thorncroft Equestrian Center, which specializes in therapeutic horseback riding for both children and adults with mental, emotional and physical disabilities. Ann was known for her generosity and fiery spirit.  She was born with Spina Bifida and faced challenges with unparalleled grit and determination to live a full life on her terms. 

Ann attended The Springside School in Philadelphia, the Vanguard School in Malvern, and graduated from Solanco High School in Quarryville. She later earned a certificate in childcare from Allegheny Community College in Pittsburgh.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Radnor Hunt, 826 Providence Road, Malvern.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made in memory of Ann Hill to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to support the Spina Bifida Young Adult Transition Program or to the Thorncroft Equestrian Center. Checks should be made out to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352. Please remember to write in memory of Ann Hill on the memo line of the check. Gifts may also be made online at http://www.chop.edu/giving. Checks should be made out to Thorncroft Equestrian Center and can be mailed to 190 Line Road, Malvern, PA, 19355. Please remember to write in memory of Ann Hill on the memo line of the check. Gifts may also be made online at https://www.thorncroftequestriancenter.org/index.php/how-to-help/donate.

ELIZABETH ANN COIN

Elizabeth Ann Coin peacefully passed away at the age of 66 on Dec. 4 at the Jennersville Hospital.

She was born in Spruced Pines, NC, raised in Upper Darby and resided in West Grove for over 30 years. She was the daughter of the late Harry Lott and Berniece Garland.

Elizabeth had a heart for her family, friends, and animals. Children were especially important in her life. Elizabeth was the beloved wife of Charles Coin for 47 years and the loving mother of Robert Coin (Caryn), Kevin Coin, and Keith Coin. She is also survived by her stepmother, Teresa (Manion) Lott; three sisters, Geri Taugner (Nick), Marie McLoughlin (Chris), and Terri Busa; her grandchildren, Alyssa, Sara, Haylee, Lily, Jacey, Noah, and Brayden Coin and one great-grandchild, Persephone.

 A memorial service for family and friends to gather will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. at Foulk Funeral Home in West Grove.

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Gift of Life donor program (www.donors1.org) or a check made payable to Gift of Life to 401 North 3rd Street Philadelphia, PA  19123.  Also donations can be made to the American Heart Association.     

GENE HUGHES

Gene Hughes, 82, of Oxford, passed away on Dec. 5 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del. while surrounded by his family.

Born in Poplar, NC he was the son of the late Carson and Bonnie Peterson Hughes.

He worked in housekeeping for 15 years at Pocopson Nursing Home and retired in 2012.

Gene was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. He had a heart of gold and a smile that would light up any room.

He greeted everyone with warmth and had a genuine caring nature, and because of that he was loved by everyone who knew him.

He is survived by his six children, Vickie Mathers (Chris) of Oxford, Michael Hughes (Suzanne)of Avondale, James Hughes (Tammy), Robert Hughes, Christina Phillips all of Oxford and Tim Hughes (Carrie) of Nottingham; twenty-seven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Morris Hughes; and four sister, Joyce Johnson, Geneva Noblit, Doris Horton and Edna Guy.

 

He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Harper Hughes of 43 years; one brother, Alfred Hughes; and one sister, Mary Tracy.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 11 at the Edward L. Collins Funeral Home, Inc. Interment was in Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com