Philomena “Mamie” Frezzo

Philomena “Mamie” Frezzo passed away peacefully in her sleep on Nov. 28, 2022 at the age of 91.  

Mamie was a member of St. John the Beloved Church and was deeply devoted to her family. Growing up on her family’s farm instilled in Mamie a lifelong love of nature, gardening, and the mushroom industry. She loved to cook and entertain and was happiest when she was feeding her friends and family.  Her greatest joy was being with her family and teaching her grandchildren how to make her favorite traditional foods with love.

Mamie was born in Landenberg on Feb. 3, 1931, the daughter of Benvenuta and Michele Toto.  In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her son-in-law, Richard Swayne; her sisters, Livia Toto, and Yolanda (Helen) Falini; and brothers, Anthony Toto, Joseph Toto and Louis Toto. 

She is survived by daughters, Kathleen Frezzo of West Chester, Coni Frezzo (Ed Sannini) of Summit, NJ, and Anita Swayne of Kennett Square; her grandchildren, Emily Sannini of Chicago, IL, Claire Sannini of West Hartford, CT, and Michael Swayne of Philadelphia; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A mass of Christian burial was held on December 6 at St. John the Beloved Church in Wilmington, Del.

Interment will be held in All Saints Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Bridges Outreach PO Box 1444 Summit, NJ 07901.

Arrangements are being handled by Doherty Funeral Home. To offer condolences, visit www.dohertyfh.com.

Diana C. Hoopes

Diana C. Hoopes, a resident of Landenberg, passed away on Nov. 27 at Christiana Hospital. She was 74.

She was the wife of C. Barclay Hoopes, Jr., with whom she shared 53 years of marriage. 

Born 1948 in West Chester, Diana was the daughter of the late Mark B. Crossan, Jr., and the late Catherine Emerson Crossan. Diana was proud to be born a farmer’s daughter and would later become a farmer’s wife, yet she also had an entrepreneurial spirit that led her to great professional success.  

After graduating from high school, Diana attended Goldey-Beacom College where she earned her secretarial degree. She began her career working for a prestigious physician as a medical secretary at the University of Delaware. Later, she worked for a time in the banking industry. Diana found her professional passion when she began working as coordinator for the Agricultural Land Preservation Program. She took great pride in her work and enjoyed working closely with resident farmers to ensure the continued preservation of local agriculture.

Additionally, Diana was a member of New Garden Friends Meeting, the Chester-Delaware County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Diana was a social butterfly and enjoyed talking to friends, new and old. Music brought a great deal of happiness to Diana’s life. She played the piano and absolutely loved to dance. If Diana was offering up advice, it was often presented in paraphrased song lyrics. 

Diana found joy in the simple things. She loved her life, her family and her community. Diana will be missed terribly by all who had the pleasure to know her. 

In addition to her husband, Barclay, Diana is survived by two sons, Mark C. Hoopes (Rebecca) and Jeffery E. Hoopes; two daughters, Jennifer H. Eckert (Michael) and Marsha A. Rosanelli (William); grandchildren, Sarah (Johnny), Emma (Joey), Bradley, Todd, Danielle, Gwendolynne, Carolynne, Annie and Billy; and great grandchildren, Joey and Lane.

Services were held on Dec. 3 at the New Garden Friends Meeting in Toughkenamon. Interment will be held at New Garden Friends Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, Diana’s family requests memorial contributions be made to New Garden Friends Monthly Meeting, 415 Cedar Spring Rd., Kennett Square, PA 19348. 

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