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Chester County Press

Obituaries for he week of September 14

09/13/2020 11:33PM ● By Steven Hoffman

Domenico Ruffini

Domenico Ruffini, a resident of West Grove, died peacefully at home while surrounded by his family on Aug. 8. He was 92.

He was the husband of Lillian Passante Ruffini. Born on Oct. 22, 1927 in Musellaro, Italy, he was the son of the late Michael Ruffini and the late Loreta Profeta.

Domenico worked in the coal mines of Belgium and pursued careers in Canada. He met Lillian, the love of his life, in New York City in 1951. They married in 1953. 

Domenico initially worked at the General Motors assembly plant before becoming interested in starting his own barbershop. He attended barber school in Philadelphia and obtained his license in 1958. 

He opened Ruffini’s Barber Shop in West Grove in 1964. It is still in operation today and is now run by his son, John.

Domenico enjoyed gardening, spending time with family, and bringing people together. In 1980, Domenico was elected to the West Grove Borough Council, serving the community for over 20 years. In 1998, he was responsible for organizing the funds to build the Avon Grove Veterans Memorial in West Grove. 

He also was instrumental in organizing the annual Avon Grove Memorial Day Parade which still continues today after 22 years.

Domenico was presented with the Citizen of the Year Award from the Avon Grove Lions Club in 2003, and he was also honored with a Senate Citizenship Award in 2019. This was presented to him by State Sen. Andrew Dinniman.

In addition to his parents, he was pre-deceased by two brothers, Peter Ruffini and Anthony Ruffini and a sister, Sylvia DiNardo. 

He is survived by his wife of 66 years and their children, Michael Ruffini, Donna Hannum (William) and John Ruffini (Diane). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jonathan and Christopher Ruffini and Bryan and Kathryn Hannum, sisters Iola Tabellione and Mary Lucente, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Services and interment were private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Assumption BVM Church, 300 State Road, West Grove, PA 19390 or Avon Grove Memorial Parade, 104 Rosehill Avenue, West Grove, PA 19390.

To view Domenico’s online tribute and to share a message with his family, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Arrangements are being handled by Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove.


Dorothy Mae Hartman

Dorothy Mae Hartman, 93, of Kennett Square, died peacefully in her home on Sept. 7.

Dot was born May 4, 1927 in Winston-Salem, N.C. to the late Irene (Johnson) and Everett Binkley Sr.  Her family moved to Kennett Square when she was four years old and remained there for the rest of her life. Dot graduated from Kennett High School in 1945.

Dot was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Paul Hartman, in 1998, her daughter, Linda LaFrance, in 1988, her sisters, Irene, Sara, Mary Lou and her brothers, Everett Jr., Clyde, Robert and Edward. 

She is survived by her children, Carol Smith of South Bloomingville, OH, Barbara Troutman of Kennett Square, Robert Hartman (Rosemarie) of West Chester and Charles Hartman of Kennett Square. She is also survived by a brother, Thomas Binkley of Media, Pa., and 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. 

Dot retired from Kennett Middle School after a 30-year career.  Most of her career was spent working as a secretary for various middle school principals. Dot was continuously active after retirement, bowling in several leagues, playing pinochle in various card clubs, volunteering at the food cupboard in Kennett Square and participating in the Kennett After School Program. She was also an active member of the Kennett Alumni Association.

A private graveside service for the family was held on Sept. 11.

Memorial contributions may be made to Willow Tree Hospice, 616 East Cypress Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

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

Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.


ESTHER MAY AKEHURST

Esther May Akehurst, a resident of Wilmington, Del., passed away on Sept. 6, at her residence. She was 94.

She was the wife of  James E. Akehurst, Sr., with whom she shared 66 years of marriage.

Born in Rosedale, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Paul Neide and the late Ella Kruss Neide.

She was a homemaker and she enjoyed doing crafts, gardening, watching TV and being with her family and friends. Mrs. Akehurst attended the Church of the Brethren in Wilmington, Del. 

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, James E. Akehurst, Jr. (Angela Knight) of Newark, Del. and John P. Akehurst of West Chester, Pa.; two daughters, Linda L. Riley ( William) of Wilmington, Del. and Della M. Akehurst of Pottsgrove, Pa.; one brother, Robert Neide of Coatesville, Pa. and one granddaughter, Amanda Akehurst.

She was predeceased by eight brothers and three sisters.

Her graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25 at the Longwood Cemetery, 945 East Baltimore Pike in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society, 12 Germay Drive, Wilmington, DE 19804.

Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

 

Nancy Maxine Poole

Maxine Poole passed away on Sept. 3 at Oakleaf Manor in Millersville. She was 89.

She was the wife of the late Robert James Poole, with whom she shared 65 years of marriage.

Born in Ashe County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Rachel Ellis Cole.

Maxine was a member of the Nottingham Friends Meetinghouse in Oxford.


She is survived by two sons, Ronald Poole (Linda) of Cochranville and Robert Poole (Theresa) of Lancaster; 14 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; one brother, Bob Ellis of Florida; and one sister, Billy Ruth of West Grove.

She was preceded in death by one daughter, Brenda M. Paetz and one brother, Dan.

A graveside service was held on Sept. 9 at Eastland Friends Meeting Cemetery.  

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

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


Thomas A. Chaires

Thomas A. Chaires, age 60 of Avondale, passed away on Sept. 7 at Jennersville Hospital. 

He was the loving husband of Cynthia Weston Chaires, with whom he shared nearly 40 years of marriage. The two met in high school at age 16 and were together ever since.

Tom graduated from Avon Grove High School and later went on to work as a mechanic for General Motors. Following his position as a mechanic, he worked at Cann Printing, a job that he came to greatly enjoy. 

Tom was passionate about woodworking, boating, motorcycles and cars – anything with an engine. He also had an artistic and creative way about him. Tom liked antiques and often amazed family and friends with his ability to restore old items and make them look brand new. Tom was the type of person who always had a smile on his face and a joke to brighten your day. He had a kind heart and deeply loved his family. 

In addition to his wife, Cynthia, Tom is survived by his two sons, Sean Thomas Chaires (Crystle) and Andrew Leslie Chaires (Danielle and fur baby, Coconut); his mother, Faytha King Chaires; his brother, Kenneth Richard, Jr. (Cindy); sister, Carol Bauder (Dan); and grandchildren, Kylee and Spencer. 

Tom was predeceased by his father, Kenneth Richard, Sr. and his sister, Charlotte Pfeiffer. 

Services were held on Sept. 11 with interment at New London Presbyterian Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Tom’s honor may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1818 Market St., Suite 2820, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Arrangements were handled by Foulk Funeral Home in West Grove.


Beulah G. Osborne

Beulah G. Osborne, a resident of Cochranville, passed away on Sept. 6. She was 95.

She was the wife of the late Charlie Hart, who died in 1944, the late J. Elwood Lewis, who died in 1981, and the late Ray W. Osborne who died in 2004.  

Born in West Jefferson, Ash County, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Freil and Bertha Moxley Coldiron. 

She retired from the Friends Home in Kennett Square where she worked as a nursing aid. She was a member of the Safe Harbor Baptist Church in Cochranville. She ran the Lewis Garage Sale on Route 41 for over 20 years. 

She is survived by her children, Charles E. (Nancy L.), Joseph F. (Nancy J.), and William T. (Joanne) all of Cochranville, 5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. 

Services were held on Sept. 14 at the Wilde Funeral Home in Parkesburg. Interment was at Glen Run Baptist Cemetery.

Arrangements were entrusted to Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com.


Barry L. Supplee 

Barry L. Supplee, a resident of Oxford, passed away on Sept. 8 at Jennersville Hospital in West Grove. He was 60.

Born in West Grove, he was the son of Jack Supplee and the late Elizabeth Walters Supplee.

A graveside service was held on Sept. 15 at Oxford Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to First Baptist Church of Oxford, 552 Market St., Oxford, PA 19363.

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

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


Kathryn Richey

Kathryn (Kay) Ethel McKinney Richey met her Lord and Savior face to face on Sept. 10. She was 97.  

Kay had been a resident at Ware Presbyterian Village over the past 7 years and has been patiently awaiting the day she would finally “go home.”

Kay was the daughter of the late Ethel Banker McKinney and Arthur McKinney.  She grew up on the farm in Plattsburg N.Y. with her sister, Laura Mae McKinney.

Kay graduated with a degree in English from Eastern Nazarene College.  She played basketball, was a cheerleader, and wrote for the school paper. It was also where she met and married Myron Eugene Richey.  

Always together, they shared 60 years of marriage.  Kay was a loving wife and faithfully supported her husband through their 60 years of service as pastor and wife in the Church of the Nazarene. Kay was a prayer warrior, a faithful Sunday school teacher, mentor and alto choir member. 

Being a Mom was her joy. She had four children over the span of 20 years.  She enjoyed a clean home and providing three square meals a day. She made sure prayer was a part of the start of each day and made music an activity to remember.  She looked forward to family vacations in the Adirondack mountains of New York.

Kay is preceded in death by her husband and sister.

She is survived by four children, Craig and Cheryl Richey of Painesville, OH; Jim and Donna Richey of Mentor, OH; Kathy and Jim St. John of Lincoln University, Pa.; and Laurie Richey of North Wales, Pa. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 6 great- grandchildren.

To the very end, Kay always wore a smile, giving evidence of God’s goodness and faithfulness to her. 

Her viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday evening, Sept. 17 at the Avon Grove Church of the Nazarene, 240 State Road, West Grove, and again from 10 to 11 a.m.  on Friday, Sept. 18 at the Avon Grove Church of the Nazarene.  

Her Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. 

Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, everyone is asked to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

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

Arrangements are handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.


Constance F. MacNeal

Constance F. MacNeal, an 84-year-old resident of Oxford, passed away at Ware Presbyterian Village on Sept. 9. 

Constance was the wife of the late William H. MacNeal III, who passed away Dec. 25, 2004, and with whom she shared 44 years of marriage.

Born in Oxford on Aug. 7, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Florence (Taylor) Fisher. 

She was a lifelong resident of Oxford. Connie was a 1953 graduate of Oxford Area High School. After high school, she worked for RCA in Lancaster. 

Later, she worked as the secretary of East Nottingham Township for 31 years. 

Connie was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, and annual beach vacations with her family. She also enjoyed spending time with her two granddaughters who brought her great joy. Connie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt. 

She is survived by her daughter, Janice Price (James) of Oxford; two granddaughters, Ashley Price-Gillinger (John) and Sarah Price both of Oxford; a brother, Joseph Fisher (Gayle) of Oxford; two foster brothers, David Bristow and Frank Jobeck, both of Oxford; sister-in-law Cheryl Russell of Weirton, WV, and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her sister, Barbara England; brother-in-law, Floyd England; brother, Howard Fisher; sister-in-law, Sandy Fisher; foster brother, James Russell; and sister-in-law, Nancy Hicklen. 

A graveside service was held on Sept. 12 at Oxford Cemetery. 

Connie’s family would like to thank the staff at Ware Presbyterian Village and Willow Tree Hospice for the wonderful care they provided.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Connie’s memory may be made to Willow Tree Hospice care of Amedisys Foundation 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816. 

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

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


Jeffrey J. Scott

Jeffrey J. Scott, a resident of Cochranville, Pa., passed away on Sept. 9 during emergency surgery for a ruptured aorta aneurysm. He was 65.

Jeff was born March 29, 1955 in Rushville, IL. He is survived by his parents George C. and Shirley A. (Jacobs) Scott.

Jeff was a graduate of Unionville High School, Class of 1973. He furthered his education by attending Xavier University of Ohio, Southern Illinois University and University of Arizona. 

For 27 years, Jeff was the owner of the Pak-n-Ship Stores in Kennett Square and Jennersville. He was devoted to his business and was very personable with his customers. His businesses routinely were ranked in the top 100 UPS stores in the U.S.

He is survived by his parents; six siblings, Margaret Daniel (Gary), Steven Scott (Roslyn), David Scott, Barbara Elliott (Michael), Patricia Dooley (Stephen) and Diane Burkin (Brian); and many nieces and nephews.

Services are private at this time due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jeff’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, online at Heart.org, calling 1-800-242-8721 or by mail to AHA, PO Box 471005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.

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


Elizabeth Alberts

Elizabeth (Liza) Donovan Alberts, 69, of Unionville, died at her home following a long illness.  She is survived by her husband Harry Alberts and sons, Stephen Alberts (fiancée Marisa Smith) of Lancaster, Pa., and Christopher Alberts of Unionville.  

She was predeceased by her parents, Jeremiah and Mary Rita Donovan, and her brother, Michael Donovan.

Liza was born in Stamford, CT and spent her early years residing with her parents in Pound Ridge, N.Y.

She was a graduate of Moore College of Art in Philadelphia where she earned a bachelor of arts degree with a major in photography.  

She was fortunate to have enjoyed a successful career in the arts, working as a production artist at the marketing and advertising agency of Richard P. Ritter.  She also worked for Charles P. Mills, Commercial Photography Studio in Philadelphia. 

Liza retired from her chosen field to stay home to raise her sons. After ten years, she began a fulfilling career working as a library assistant at Unionville High School.  

Liza was a person who loved a good book and loved working with the students and her coworkers at Unionville.  Art was woven into the fabric of Liza’s life and her creativity was beautifully expressed through her hobbies and interests, which included landscape photography, gardening, basketry, artful pillows, and jewelry that featured shells, seas glass and other treasures she collected during the family’s travels.

Services are private.  

Arrangements have been made by Kuzo Funeral Home.  

To commemorate the life of Liza, memorial contributions may be sent to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, (LLS.org), 100 N. 20th St., FL4, Philadelphia, PA 19103.  

The family gratefully acknowledges the loving care and support provided by Penn Hospice Services and University of Pennsylvania Hospital.

Liza appreciated the comforting tidal rhythms of quiet living and softly spoken words.  Beneath this gentle personality was a sustaining strength.  This strength is her gift to her family and friends.