DIANE THOMPSON

Diane Thompson, a resident of Kennett Square, passed away on July 5 at Season’s Hospice at Christiana Hospital. She was 74.

She was the wife of Robert “Bobby” M. Thompson, Jr., who passed away in 2008, and with whom she shared 42 years of marriage.

Born in Wilmington, Del., she was the daughter of the late Troy Shupe, Jr. and the late Jean Hoosier Church.

Diane was a homemaker, but in earlier years she worked as a hairdresser.

She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kennett Square.

 She enjoyed going out to dinner with friends, shopping with her daughters, trips to the hairdresser and nail salon, and countless vacations with her family. She was known for being the organizer of all holiday gatherings and traditions and also the one to set up countless dates with her cousins to enjoy live music and delicious food. She never ended a day without calling her two daughters to say, “I love you and goodnight.”

Her grandchildren meant the world to her. She never missed an event and was their loudest cheerleader from the sideline. The minute she met someone they immediately had a connection and from then on they called her MomMom.  

Diane is survived by two daughters, Michelle Hughes and her husband Larry of Hockessin, Del. and Christine DiUbaldo and her husband Domenic of Hockessin, Del; one sister, Susan Wolfe of Newark, Del., and five grandchildren, Brandon, Zachary, Sophia, Domenic, and Joey.

A funeral mass was held at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Hockessin, Del.

Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution in Diane’s memory may be made to the Sanford School, 6900 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707.

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

Charles Larry Grasty

Charles Larry Grasty of Nottingham passed away on July 6. He was 64 years old.  

Larry was born in West Grove, and he was the son of the late Wilbur and Nellie Grasty of Oxford.  

He is survived by his twin brother, Gary Grasty of Oxford; a brother, Bill Grasty of Oxford; and two sisters, Brenda Morrison of Kirkwood and a sister, Pat Hash of West Grove. Larry is also survived by his stepchildren, Ashlynne Robinson, Dylan See, and Amber Robinson of Nottingham.  

Larry was employed by Herr Foods for many years before working at Longwood Gardens. He enjoyed getting up early and going for coffee, taking drives, and reading the newspaper. He liked to visit his buddies at the Wawa in Nottingham and talk about local news.

He was cremated at Apire National Cremation (phone number 855-812-7973).

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 22 at the Penn Township Municipal Building at 260 Lewis Road in West Grove.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Jennersville Church of the Brethren.

Billie Faye Risacher

Billie Faye Risacher, a resident of Pawleys Island, SC, departed this life on July 5 following several years of declining health. 

She was the wife of Robert L. Risacher.

Billie was born on July 24, 1943 in Gastonia, NC, the daughter of William D. Brown and Letha Hall Brown. She graduated from Frederick High School in Frederick, Md. and held a bachelor of science degree from the University of Massachusetts, as well as a masters degree and Ph.D. from the University of Delaware. 

She and her husband, Bob were married in 1963.  In addition to raising their children, Billie taught mathematics and mathematics education in the Mathematics and Computer Science departments of The University of Delaware, San Jose State University, Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College.  

She wrote many professional publications, contributed to and edited several books and made presentations nationally and internationally.

Billie approached life with enthusiasm and boundless energy. She always had a smile on her face. She enjoyed hiking, swimming, boating, biking, singing, camping and especially dancing.  She loved her family dearly and took a special interest in the lives of her grandchildren.

Billie was active in church and community.  As a certified YMCA Instructor, she taught aerobics, step, pilates and Zumba at several YMCAs and voluntarily in churches and her neighborhood.  

She was a Hospice volunteer and crisis pregnancy counselor.  Billie was also active as an adult and children’s Sunday School teacher.

She leaves behind a loving family and many devoted friends and colleagues.

Billie was predeceased by both parents and three half-siblings. 

She is survived by her husband Bob, three children, Tracy Bristow of Durham, NC, Kate Esser of Poolesville, Md. and Daniel Risacher of Arlington, VA, their spouses, and nine grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 26 at 11 a.m. at Puckett Funeral Home in Farmville, VA.  

A graveside service will follow.

Remembrances may be made to Tidelands Community Hospice of Georgetown, SC, or The Pregnancy Support Center of Southside Virginia. 

Puckett Funeral Home is serving the family. www.puckettfh.com.

Christine Elizabeth Troilo

Christine Elizabeth Troilo (nee: Paisley), a resident of Bear, Del., passed away peacefully in her daughter and son-in-law’s home on July 14. She was 95. 

Born in West Jefferson, NC on Aug. 8 1925, she was the daughter of the late Walter and China (McMillan) Paisley.    

On March 31, 1945, she married the love of her life, Gerard D. Troilo. They were blissfully married for 71 years before he passed in 2016.  

Mrs. Troilo was a graduate of Avon Grove High School in the class of 1943. She was a longtime member of Assumption BVM Church in West Grove. Some of her favorite pastimes included boating on the Chesapeake with her husband and family, wintering in Ft. Myers Beach, FL, reading, watching or attending baseball games, and gardening. But what she enjoyed the most was spending time with her children and grandchildren.   

She is survived by her children, Joseph D. Troilo (and wife Pauline) of Avondale, Gerard S. Troilo (and wife Cathy) of The Villages, FL and Cindy T. Zerillo (and her husband James) of Bear, Del.; her grandchildren, Jason, Joey, Justin, Jeff, Bryan, Jackie, Jessie, and Michael; her great-grandchildren, Colin, Caroline, and Wyatt; and her sister Shirley Byrd of Del. 

In addition to her husband and parents, she is also preceded in death by her beloved son, Garrett Michael Troilo, her brother, Dean Paisley and sister, Logene DiStefano.  

Her mass was held on July 20 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in West Grove.

Interment will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square.  

Please visit Mrs. Troilo’s online memorial by going to www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.