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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of March 2

03/03/2020 01:44PM ● By Steven Hoffman

MARY CIARROCCHI

Mary Branella Ciarrocchi, a loving matriarch and devoted sister and friend, died early on Feb. 23 at Stonegates, in Wilmington, Del. She was 91.

 

Born in Coatesville, Pa., she dedicated her life to her late husband, Charles J. Ciarrocchi, Sr., and devoted her faith-filled energies to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 

Mary was a proud graduate of Scott High School in Coatesville. She worked as a stenographer at Coatesville Hospital, accompanying doctors on their rounds, eager to learn all she could about medicine. Music became a centerpiece of her life, singing with a regional choral group, where she was eager to use her alto voice to harmonize any melody.

 

When she married Charles J. Ciarrocchi in September of 1950, her life pivoted to Toughkenamon and Kennett Square, where she became an active member of St. Patrick’s Church. Chairing the annual dinner dance fund-raisers, and helping to edit the St. Patrick’s Cook Book used her creativity to generously help the faith community she belonged to for 63 years.

She also learned to play golf, because then, she could share in her husband’s greatest passion, outside of his family.

Mary leaves her family a legacy of unwavering faith in God, generosity, humility and love.

 

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Ciarrocchi Fineman of Merion Station, Pa., her two sons, Charles J. Ciarrocchi, Jr. of Wilmington, Del. and James J. Ciarrocchi of Chadds Ford, Pa. and her twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Resurrection was celebrated at the St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington, Del. on Feb. 29.

Entombment will be private at Cathedral Cemetery, Wilmington, Del.

In lieu of flowers, the Ciarrocchi family requests donations to the Ministry of Caring, Wilmington, Del. There is more information at the Ministry of Caring website, www.ministryofcaring.org.

Arrangements are being coordinated by the Kuzo Funeral Home, of Kennett Square. Please visit Mrs. Ciarrocchi’s online memorial by going to www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com

 

LOIS BROOMELL

Lois Broomell, 78, of Kennett Square, passed away on Feb. 22 at the Christiana Hospital. She was the wife of Samuel C. Broomell, Sr., who passed away in 2004, and with whom she shared 40 years of marriage.

Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Walter Weer and the late Ruth Keating Weer.

Lois was a dietary aide at Pocopson Home in West Chester for 15 years, retiring in 2000. Prior to that, she worked for many years at Lau Electronics in Kennett Square.

She enjoyed camping with her family, fox hunting, Kennett Square Fire Co. functions, and being with her family, grandchildren and friends.

Lois is survived by one son, Samuel C. Broomell, Jr. and his wife Sherry of Kennett Square; one daughter, Kristen Broomell and her fiancé Bryan Harrison of New Castle, Del.; five grandchildren, Bryan, Tyler, Lindsay, Kalyn and Shalyn.

The funeral service was held on Feb. 28 at Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square. Burial was in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square.

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

 

BRUCE WEAVER

Bruce Weaver, 92, of Oxford passed away on Feb. 21 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.

He was the husband of Barbara Anne Pierson Weaver, with whom he shared 68 years of marriage.

Bruce was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

He retired from Herr’s Motor Express in Quarryville, where he worked as a dispatcher.

Bruce enjoyed feeding birds, tinkering and fixing things. He was a loving husband, father grandfather, great-grandfather and brother.

He is survived by his wife; one son, Bruce A. Weaver and his wife, Terry of Oxford; one daughter, Barbara Jean Wilson of Rising Sun, Md.; eight grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; and one sister, Eva Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cheryl Weaver; five brothers, Worth, Harman, Thornton, Kyle and Russ Weaver; and two sisters Carrie Beck and Mary Jackson.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital P.O. Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0424.

Arrangements handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford.
Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

 

JIMMIE E. GARLAND

Jimmie Elchard Garland of Lancaster, Pa., passed away on Feb. 21 at Manor Care Health Services, Lancaster. He was 75.

He was the husband of Miriam “Mim” Engel Garland, with whom he shared 14 years of marriage.

Born in Shady Valley, TN, he was the son of the late Walter Elchard and the late Winnie Mae Barlow Garland.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Mary Garland of Kennett Square and Rita Garland Williams (and her husband PJ) of Jennersville; one stepson, Robert Eichelberger and his wife Michelle of Elizabethtown, Pa.; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Jimmie was a machinist at Lenape Forge in Pocopson for many years. After Lenape Forge, he worked at the Acme Market in Kennett Square, where he played Santa Claus for many years.

He was a member of the VFW Post in Kennett Square and the American Legion Post in Christiana, Pa. He enjoyed playing Darts, going to flea markets, and he was an avid fan of all the Philadelphia sports teams.

He served his county in the U.S. Army. 

A memorial service took place on Feb. 25. Burial was private.

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

 

HAZEL R. MCMAHON

Hazel R. McMahon, 96, of Nottingham, passed away on Feb. 26 at Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community.

She was the wife of the late David Wayne McMahon.

Born in Nottingham, she was the daughter of the late Jess and Beulah Finney Reeves.

Hazel graduated from Oxford High School Class of 1942.

She was employed with Oxford Auto Parts as a bookkeeper for 52 years.

Hazel was a member of the Oxford Presbyterian Church and a former member of the Soroptimist Club, Oxford.

She is survived by one sister, Alma Shoemaker of Quarryville.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, James Elwood Reeves and Arnold Reeves; and three sisters, Mary Morrison, Anna Grace Landis and Jane Deibler.

A memorial service was held on March 2 at the Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community, Ellingsworth Auditorium in Quarryville, Pa.

Interment was private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice and Community Care, ESSA Flory Center, 685 Good Drive, POB 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.

Arrangements were handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford.
Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.