Margaret Y. Mackiewicz

The indomitable and generous spirit of Margaret Yeager Mackiewicz was welcomed to its heavenly home on March 10. She was 94.

She lived a life of courage and powerful example, which was rooted in her childhood experience of survival and frugality during the difficult years of the Great Depression. She was the rock amongst her siblings (William Jr., Marie, Thomas and Barbara) and, in many respects, was a second mother to them. 

Margaret was ahead of her time, serving as the financial anchor of her house of six, at a time when women had not yet been welcomed into the workforce. Through years of self-sacrifice, she and her late husband, Lawrence F. Mackiewicz, Sr., built a modest but stable home that gave her children, Ellen, Gail, Marianne and Lawrence Jr., opportunities she had never had as the mid-century, female Valedictorian of John Bartram High School in Philadelphia.

In addition to her never-quit attitude, Margaret demonstrated an inclination to service, nursing her mother-in-law through years of illness, without complaint. She also cared for her husband through a terminal bout with lung cancer, always providing an example to loved ones of quiet dignity. 

During her well-deserved years of retirement from Scott Paper Company, Margaret was the irreplaceable social center of her family. She was a brilliant cook, with the resourcefulness to make fantastic meals from the most meager leftovers, and her incredible “Grandmom omelet” will cast a warmly remembered, long shadow in the breakfast kitchen for many years to come. 

Margaret was the type of grandmother who left home and traveled out-of-state for months each year to care for her grandchildren while her children worked. She was the type of person who would shell every tedious blue crab after a long day crabbing at the beach, and she would still be the first one up to cook everyone breakfast. 

Margaret had a spirit of adventure, spending the years after her husband’s passing traveling all over the United States and Europe, always proudly finding the best possible deal. 

Margaret was always active in her community, serving as a committee woman for the City of Philadelphia, a member of the Red Hats, YMCA and various art groups. She enjoyed spending time outdoors whether at the beach collecting shells, camping in national parks or just tending to her own flower and vegetable gardens. 

After a life well-lived, the pillar of a growing family has passed and will be dearly missed by all who were blessed by her touch in their lives.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30 at Sacred Heart Church, 203 Church Road in Oxford.

Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.

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

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

Robert F. Baughman, Jr.

Robert F. Baughman Jr, 61, of Venice, Fla. and formerly of Oxford, died on March 11 while surrounded by his family.

He will always be remembered as a great husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend. Bob was born in 1960 in Jennersville to parents Robert and Jane Baughman.  

He worked in a variety of careers, from retail to real estate to small business owner, until he made the wonderful decision to stay home with his two children. This was the best decision he ever made as he was able to share all the memories. Bob not only spent time with his own children, but also with their friends. He was considered a dad to quite a few of them.

Bob’s first passion was his family. He would do everything to be together at family holiday gatherings at the beach house in Sea Isle City, on vacations and annual ski adventures, or just sitting around watching sports or any of the many classic’ movies that he loved. His next passion was golf.  He loved the game, the lifelong friends that he gained, and the competition.  He was quite happy when we moved to Florida and was able to play every single day.  His other passion was music. He could sit and listen to music all day and night.

Bob had a passion for life and was loved by so many along the way.  His quick wit, extensive knowledge about anything and everything, his made-up knowledge when he didn’t really know the answer and his constant sarcasm will be missed.  He loved traveling to new places and experiencing new things.

Bob is survived by his wife, Lisa; two children, Carli and Alex (and Alex’s wife Emily); and a beautiful granddaughter, Parker Rose. He is also survived by his mother, Jane Baughman, and his three sisters, Jennifer Lucas, Kathy Angelini and Laura Kasting.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert F. Baughman Sr.

A memorial service was held on March 28 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. The interment followed in Oxford Cemetery.

A Celebration of his Life was planned at Hartefeld National Golf & Country Club in Avondale.

Bob died following a long battle with pancreatic cancer.  In place of flowers, please consider a donation, in his honor, to an organization dedicated to raising funds for pancreatic cancer research—aloveforlife.us.

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

Franklin J. CARSTENS

Franklin J. “Joe” Carstens passed away on March 12 while surrounded by his family at his Oxford residence. He was 87.

He was the husband of Doris P. Carstens, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage.

Born in East Brunswick, NJ, he was the son of the late Frank Carstens and Isabelle Smith. He graduated from South River High School in 1953. As a boy and teenager, he loved and worked on his grandparents’ farm.

Joe attended Delaware Valley College of Agriculture and Science from 1953 to 1957. 

In 1958, he moved to Kennett Square to work for Longwood Gardens.  He worked at Longwood Gardens for 32 years, retiring in the position of Department Head of Horticulture. Throughout his time at Longwood Gardens, he would proudly tell his grandchildren stories of the other positions he held there, including starting out as a member of the tree gang, experiencing the famous “snowstorm of 1958”, greenhouse gardener, floriculturist/greenhouse supervisor as well as his involvement with many projects on the Longwood property.  Some of those projects included the design and construction of the bulb cellars, the demolition of the old azalea house, and the construction of what is now known as the East Conservatory.

He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kennett Square, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Absecon, NJ.

Joe had many favorite activities.  These included spending time with his family and friends, and especially his more recent time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Joe maintained gardens at all his homes and loved to work in his yard. He especially enjoyed a tomato growing “competition” in Ocean City with his neighbors. Joe loved the beach,  body-surfing, and boating/crabbing with his family. He loved going to the shore in Ocean City, NJ where he and his wife Doris had a summer home for many years. He loved sitting and visiting with friends and neighbors on the beach and enjoyed the beauty and relaxed atmosphere there.

The family would like to thank the support staff, nurse and caregivers from Ware Presbyterian Village, the PRN Staffing caregivers and nurses, and the Penn Medicine hospice staff for the care and compassion they gave to Joe and the family throughout his time of need.

He is survived by his daughter, Karen Flad and her husband David of Lincoln University, Pa.; two sons, Joseph P. Carstens and his wife Krista of Downingtown, Pa. and David B. Carstens and his wife Sharon of Raleigh, NC; one sister, Mary Francis Lockenmeyer of Manasquan, NJ, seven grandchildren, Brian M. Flad  and his wife Laurel of Philadelphia, Stephanie Sibley and her husband Andrew of Phoenixville, Pa., Michelle Leisenring and her husband Michael of Downingtown, Pa., Matthew Carstens of Downingtown, Pa., Eric D. Carstens and his wife Anna of Dunkirk, Md., Morgan W. Carstens of Raleigh, NC and Haley E. Carstens of Memphis, TN; and four great grandchildren, Mackenzie Sibley, Jovie Sibley, Owen Carstens, and Eloise Carstens.

He was predeceased by one sister, Mary Margaret Cheyney of NJ, a grandson, Kevin Flad of Lincoln University, Pa., and two great-grandsons, William John Carstens and James Eric Carstens, both of Dunkirk, Md.

His funeral mass was held on March 18 at Church of the Sacred Heart in Oxford. 

Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to At-Home Services, Ware Presbyterian Village, 7 East Locust Street, Oxford, PA, 19363 or to Penn Medicine Hospice, 150 Monument Road, Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.

Arrangements were provided by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

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

Bobbi Jo Hendrickson

Bobbi Jo Hendrickson, 62, of Landenberg, passed away on March 21 at Prospect Park Nursing Home in Prospect Park. 

Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late John B. and Jo Ann Simpkins Hendrickson. 

Bobbi Jo was employed with Chesapeake Care Resources in North East, Md. as a caretaker.

She was a hard worker and she enjoyed playing Bingo.

She is survived by one nephew, William David Hendrickson of Landenberg; and one sister, Shane Hendrickson and her significant other, Michael Daliessio of Frederica, Del. 

Funeral services were held on March 25 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Interment will be in Rose Bank Cemetery in Rising Sun, Md.

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

John Lee Thomas

John Lee Thomas, 64, of Landenberg, passed away on March 19 at home. 

Born in Fairbanks, AK he was the son of Virginia Doss Thomas of Oxford and the late John S. Thomas. 

John was employed with Kaolin Mushroom in Kennett Square as a research and design manager.

He donated generously to many organizations especially to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

He is survived by one son, John R. Thomas (Samantha) of Elkton, Md.; one daughter, Desiree M. Thomas (Tim Richardson) of Elkton, Md.; twelve grandchildren; and four sisters, Sharon Hawkins of Kirkwood, Debra Marshall of Oxford, Cheryl Thomas of Kirkwood and Lisa Thomas of Oxford.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jessica Lynn Thomas. 

Funeral services were on March 29 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Smile Train at  https://donate.smiletrain.org/, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, Wounded Warriors Project at woundedwarriorproject.org or Feed the Children at www.feedthechildren.org/.

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

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

Delbert Kirk Jr.

Delbert Kirk Jr., of West Grove, died on March 21 at his home. He was 83.

He was the husband to Eleanore R. Kirk for 58 years.

Born in Philadelphia, on Dec 15, 1938, he was the son of the late Delbert Kirk Sr. and Bernice Barkalow Kirk. 

Delbert was a member of the Avondale Presbyterian Church.

He was an engineer, retiring from  General Electric of Malvern, Pa. after 25 years of service.

He was a Dickinson College alumni.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include two sons, Delbert Kirk III (and his wife, Theresa) of Prospect, Conn., James Kirk (and his wife Lynda Hamilton-Kirk) of Gilbertsville, Pa; one sister, Barbara Weber (and husband George) of Aberdeen, Md.; and five grandchildren, Jenna, Chelsea, Jimmy, Billy and Tyler.

Delbert’s memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Avondale Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 446, Avondale, PA 19311.

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

Robin Elwood Atley

Robin Elwood Atley, age 65 of West Grove, passed away on March 12 at Suburban Hospital in Norristown.

Born in 1956 in West Chester, Robin was the son of Edna L. Henderson Jackson and the late Elwood Atley.

Robin attended and worked in the shipping department at Handi-Crafters of Thorndale for nearly 50 years.

He enjoyed family, a good adventure and sports — especially the Atlanta teams.

Robin is survived by his mother, Edna L. Jackson; and three brothers, John L. Henderson, Gene Atley and John (Jackie) Atley.

He was predeceased by his father, Elwood Atley; sisters, Patricia Atley and Mary Cannon; and his brother, David Henderson.

Graveside services for Robin were held on March 26 at Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square.

Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square.

Lena Oliveri D’Antonio

Lena Oliveri D’Antonio passed away peacefully in her home on March 15. She was 88. 

Born on January 18, 1934 and raised in the Doe Run area of Unionville, she was the daughter of the late Antonio and Madalena Olivieri.

She attended Unionville High School. She then supported the operations at D’Antonio Mushrooms for over 65 years, but her most cherished role was that of wife, mother, and grandmother. A true matriarch, she was fierce, no nonsense and full of energy. She had a style and grace that couldn’t be taught and kept her house, like her clothes, in impeccable condition.

Her marriage to her late husband, Emidio, was the kind of love story most people only read about. They shared 60 years of adventures together. She hosted spaghetti dinner for her family every single Sunday and secretly loved that her house was always filled with people. Even though she often announced she was “done cooking for the day,” there was always another meal to be made or another pot of coffee to be brewed when one of her sons walked in the door.

She loved doing puzzles, shopping, playing the slot machines, and spending time with her sisters. Lena will be dearly missed by all.

Lena is survived by her three sons and their wives, Anthony and Melanie D’Antonio, Steve and Sheila D’Antonio and David and Kathleen D’Antonio; four grandchildren, Stephanie D’Antonio Boughner (Josh), Michelle D’Antonio Jurich (Dewey), Michael D’Antonio, Olivia D’Antonio; seven great grandchildren; her sisters, Nancy Petrucci and Josephine Wroten; her sister-in-law, Maryann Benko; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Emidio D’Antonio; sisters, Anna Mastrippolito and Splendora Oliveri; and a brother, Louis Oliveri.

Services were held on March 22 at St. Gabriel’s of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Avondale, and the private graveside services took place at St. Patrick Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Penn Hospice Development Office, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104 or online at www.PennMedicine.org/hospice-donate.

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

Phillip Boyd Fox

Phillip Boyd Fox, age 76, of Cochranville, passed away on March 26 at his residence. He was the husband of Aiwu Zhang, with whom he shared 11 years of marriage.

Born in Slater, MO, he was the son of the late Phillip Arlo Fox and the late Hesper Norene  Keown Fox.

He was a buyer for the Army & Air Force Exchange Services, retiring in 2002.

Phillip was an avid reader and he enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting and working in the lawn.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one brother, Barry R. Fox of Missouri.

His service and burial will be private.

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

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