Paula Elaine Hanby

Paula Elaine Hanby, of Nottingham, passed away on July 10 at Reading Hospital. She was 58.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.  

Paula was born on March 8, 1964 in Nottingham and graduated from Oxford Area High School in 1982.  

She worked in information technology at Jennersville Hospital (formerly Southern Chester County Medical Center) for 17 years. This is where she met the love of her life, Anthony Hanby and they married in 1994. Paula then worked for Deloitte Consulting for 17 years as a systems analyst.  She facilitated teams around the globe to support Deloitte’s virtual education platform.  Her co-workers considered her to be a memorable woman who made work fun.

As a lifelong resident of Nottingham, Paula enjoyed boating on the Susquehanna, hiking, four-wheeling, and rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles.  Her many Labrador puppies were her pride and joy.  Paula hosted countless wedding and baby showers, made the best potato salad, and generously sent gifts as a way to cheer up her friends and family.  She was kind to all, whether they were two-legged or four-legged.  She had a wicked sense of humor, but most of all, a friendly and giving spirit that will be missed by all.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Caroline Brown and her sister, Donna Lynn Webb.

Paula is survived by her husband, Tony; her sons, Clifford (Bridgette) Zell and Steven Zell; her sister, Wanda Brown Nitsch (Chuck); her brothers-in-law Jason and Clayton; a granddaughter, Madalyn; two grandsons, Dylan and Chase; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Even though Paula left to put on her angel wings, she lived a special life surrounded by people who admired and loved her. 

A celebration of her life took place on July 15 at Edward L. Collins Funeral Home in Oxford.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20825, or the Brandywine Valley SPCA at https://bvspca.org/donate/.

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

Paul J. Roberts

Paul J. Roberts, a resident of Rising Sun, Md., passed away on July 3, 2022 at the age of 69.

He was born on Nov. 9, 1952 in Avondale to the late Jonathan Roberts, and the late Jean (McMillan) Roberts. 

Paul grew up in Avondale. After attending the Milwaukee School of Engineering, he worked with his father in the family business—J.J. Roberts HVAC and Steam Boilers. Paul had quite a reputation as a master mechanic and was often referred to as “the boiler doctor,” working in the commercial mushroom industry in Chester County. Upon retirement, Paul devoted his time to the operation of his farm with his wife at Calvert Farm in Rising Sun, Md.

Paul is survived by Pamela J. Stegall, his wife of 36 years. He is also survived by brothers, Kenneth Roberts of Landenberg and Brian Roberts (Barbara) of Avondale, his nephews, Kenneth P Roberts (Cindy) of Landenberg, Ben Roberts (Andrea) of Landenberg, and Jake Roberts of Newark, Del.

A celebration of Paul’s life was held on July 24 at Nonantum Farm.

Paul was loved by many. He was a kind and gentle man. In lieu of flowers, a donation is suggested to the https://veterinarycarefoundation.org/ for the Nonantum Vet Clinic as a memorial for Paul J Roberts. To send online condolences please visit, www. rtfoard.com. 

Amos W. Fenstermacher

Amos W. Fenstermacher, 89, of Unionville, passed away on July 13, 2022.
Born in 1932 in Unionville, he was the son of the late William C., Sr. and Esther Alys Hall Fenstermacher.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of New London Lodge #545 F&AM.
He loved the Unionville area and enjoyed golf, fox hunting, and steeple chase races.
He is survived by three children, Amy Lynn Schwartz (Richard), A. Walter Fenstermacher, Jr. (Laurie), and Alys Vattilana (Joe Young) and eight grandchildren, Scott (Jen), Wendy, Matthew (Kelly), Erik (Kasey), Andrew (Samantha), Elyse, Jillian (Jesse), and Kira. He is also survived by three siblings, Barbara Massey, Joyce Parrett, and William C. Fenstermacher, Jr.; nine great-grandchildren, with a tenth grand-child on the way; and his longtime friend and business partner, Joan Fernandes.
He was preceded in death by his twin sister, Mary Zell.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 30 at Unionville Presbyterian Church, 815 Wollaston Road in Kennett Square.

Interment will follow at the Unionville Cemetery across from Po-Mar-Lin Fire Co. in Unionville.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., in Oxford.
Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Alfred J. Di Norscia Sr.

Alfred J. Di Norscia Sr., a beloved father, peacefully passed away on July 15, 2022 at Chester County Hospital. 

He was a 95-year-old resident of Kennett Square.

He married the love of his life, Margaret Di Filippo Di Norscia, with whom he shared 72 years of marriage.  

Margaret passed away on February 6, 2021. Born in Kennett Square, Al was the son of the late Joseph Anthony Sr. and Mary Gale Di Norscia.  As the last member of his family, Al is predeceased by his sister Anina, and brothers Anthony, Guy, and Joseph Jr.

After graduating from Kennett High School, Al attended Drexel University.  He entered the Army Air Corps as a B 29 mechanic and was quickly promoted to sergeant in charge of 110 men of the 8th photo technical squadron, attached to the 40th bomb wing stationed in Erlangen, Germany. Their assignment was to pinpoint and photograph enemy aircraft on the ground to be destroyed. Alfred was one of the last World War II veteran members of American Legion Post 491 in Kennett Square.

Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he began his career with Lukens Steel where he was responsible for the fabrication material division. He then worked for many government contractors including Thiokol Chemical Company, Container Research and All-American Engineering, an Aeronautical Engineering Company. 

He became a real estate agent in 1976 but was pursued by All American Engineering again in 1981, to return to work on a military project. In post-retirement, he worked for Country Fresh Mushroom Co.

Al was a longtime, faithful member of St. Patrick Church in Kennett Square and for more than 40 years, he attended the Men of Malvern Retreat. Al was also a member of the Optimist Club, the very first Kennett Symphony, and the Beachcomber Band in which he played the saxophone.  He umpired baseball for the local Teener’s, Babe Ruth and American Legion Leagues, and coached the local football team, The Choppers.  He was an avid fishermen and golfer, and even played nine holes of golf the week of his passing. 

He will be remembered by his family as a hardworking and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Alfred is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Peppernick (Thomas) and Madelyn Behrends, and a son, Alfred J. Di Norscia, Jr., all of Kennett Square; eight grandchildren, Kristen Jellison (Darin), Stephanie Arriviello (Chris), Michael Odorisio (Rachael), Erica Spiekermann (Kyle), A.J. Di Norscia III (Martina), Anna Behrends (Marcus), Darren Di Norscia, and Jacqulyn Di Norscia-Murphy; and ten great-grandchildren, Noah, Kate, Nicholas, Christopher, Marilyn, Mariana, Mila, Eli, Mila Grace, and Luca.

His funeral mass was held on July 25 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kennett Square.

Interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery.  

Contributions in Al’s memory may be made for the prevention of Macular Degeneration to https://support.brightfocus.org or the American Heart Association  https://www2.heart.org.  Arrangements are by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc (484-734-8100). 

To view Alfred's online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Fred Dexter Main

Fred Dexter Main, of Oxford passed away on July 16, 2022 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. He was 88.

Born in Toliver City, NC, he was the son of the late Letcher and Mamie Eldreth Main.

Fred was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean War.

He owned and operated Fred’s TV in Oxford and owned several real estate properties.

He was a member of Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church.

Fred was an avid golfer.

He is survived by two sons, Michael D. Main of North East, Md. and Glenn S. Main of Mount Wolf; one step-daughter, Susan Bowers of Shamong, NJ; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Ruby Metzer of North East, Md.

He was preceded in death by a son, Jack “Dexter” Main and a step-son, David Howell.

Funeral services were held on July 22 at the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church in Nottingham.

Interment will be in the adjoining church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Legion Mason Dixon Post #194, 388 E. Main St., Rising Sun, MD 21911. 

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

Joyce Bertha Thompson

Joyce B. Thompson, of Oxford, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2022. She was 94.

Joyce was born in Somerset, England on Sept. 12, 1927 to the late Bertha (Tyler) and Ralph Hallett.  She grew up with her sister Cynthia, and her brothers Peter (deceased) and David.  

Joyce met her husband Robert L. Cook (deceased) while he was stationed in Somerset, England during World War II.  She fell in love and married Robert and moved to the United States where they resided in Chatham, Pa. 

Joyce is survived by her three children, Stephen L. Cook, Robert R. Cook, and Adrienne C. Snik and their spouses, Peggy, Jo-Anne, and Peter as well as six grandchildren and their spouses,  Stephen and Shannon Cook, Christopher and Dawn Cook, Brock and Amanda Cook,  Tjerand and Sarah Snik, Adrienne J. and Denis Snik-Gumanov, and Allyson and Chris Smith.  She was a loving great- grandmother to her nine great-grandchildren, Ryan, Peylan, Emmy, Audrey, Chelsea, Nora, Allyson J. , Kyle, and Jordan.  

Later in life, Joyce was blessed to have a second loving marriage to Charles Thompson (now deceased) and was a stepmother to his five children, John, Jim, Kenneth, Diana and Douglas.   Joyce often expressed how fortunate she was to have such a wonderful and close-knit family and took pride in her position as the “matriarch” of this clan.  Her positive attitude was inspirational; as was the joy she experienced in spending time with her family.

A lifelong learner and avid reader, Joyce received a degree in Elementary Education from Penn State University and a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Alabama.  She was a reading aide at Avon Grove Middle School, a Head Start teacher for Chester County, and a special education teacher for children with learning disabilities in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  

Among her many and varied interests, Joyce was a skilled gardener.  She had a well-earned reputation for a green thumb and her verdant yard is proof of this talent. While in Alabama, Joyce served as president of Tuscaloosa’s George Wood Chapter of the Alabama Wildflower Society and was an active member of the Oxford Garden Club.  She also enjoyed painting, playing the piano, sewing, crocheting, playing pinochle and bridge, line dancing, golf, and making arts and crafts-especially with her great-grandchildren. 

Joyce had a strong faith in her savior, Jesus Christ, and was an active member of several churches over the years.  She served as deacon, Sunday school teacher, MYF leader, and church organist.  Most recently she was an active member of the Oxford United Methodist Church in Oxford. She loved her sweet church family and took great pleasure in their fellowship.

Joyce was a positive, intelligent, independent, strong, and very talented woman, as well as an adoring mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  She will be greatly missed.  

Family and friends gathered for a memorial service at the Oxford United Methodist Church on July 19.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in her memory to the Oxford United Methodist Church.  

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

Laura Lee Arbolino

Laura Lee Arbolino (nee-Hobbs) passed away on July 14, 2022 after a long and full life.  

Lee was very loved and will be missed immensely by her family and friends.  

She was predeceased by her loving husband Phil, mother Norma Jane Hobbs (nee-Routzahn) and sister Leslie.  

Lee is survived by her two children, Karen and Michael; a son-in-law, Ron; two grandchildren, Madison, Abigail; and two brothers, Wayne and Kevin.  

Lee worked at William Penn School District and retired from Interboro School District as director of transportation.

A private memorial will be scheduled in the near future.

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

Jonathon Wade Cassidy

Jonathon Wade Cassidy passed away on July 13, 2022 at home in Oxford. He was 40.

Jonathon was born at Riddle Hospital in Media, Pa., the son of JoAnn Coker Cassidy and John Patrick Cassidy of Oxford. He was the proud father of his daughter, Crystal. 

Jonathon graduated as a motorcycle technician from York Technical Institute, and enjoyed riding his motorcycle and taking ATVs out into the woods of Oxford. Jonathon loved attending demolition derbies and the time spent with his Dad, uncles, and cousins getting ready for the demolition derby nights. They would spend hours getting the cars ready and stylish for the show. Jonathon had a big crowd cheering when he was crashing other cars into the wall during derbies.

Jonathon shared a love of the guitar and fishing with his dad, and, like his pop, he was an avid fisherman at the Conowingo Dam. He shared a love of music with his family, and when he won tickets for Stone Temple Pilots, he was elated to take his brother Cody.

Jonathon loved spending time down at the beach with his family, boating, fishing, crabbing, clam digging, and body surfing the waves.

Jonathon was a quiet man who was down to earth and kind-hearted. He was loved by many who knew him. 

Jonathon is survived by his child, Crystal Thomas of Delta, Pa; his mother, JoAnn Coker Cassidy of Oxford; his brother Cody (Kate) Cassidy of Gap, Pa.; April Thomas, and his many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service was held on July 22 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home in Oxford.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the funeral home to offset funeral costs.

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