JANE GORDON ROOSEVELT

It is with tremendous sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Jane Gordon Roosevelt on April 14, 2023. 

Jane was a well known and beloved presence in Kennett Square where she owned and taught at Longwood Performing Arts for 40-plus years. Throughout her career, she touched the lives of many students and firmly etched her enduring legacy in the community. She will forever be known for her exuberance and unmatched love and generosity for all who knew her. 

Born on Aug. 31, 1955, Jane was the sixth out of seven children born to Henry Latrobe Roosevelt and Vera Story Roosevelt. Unwavering in her love for family and friends, Jane was not only the life of the party but the rock of support for countless people. Her love knew no bounds and her laugh endeared her to all who knew her. Jane did not have any children of her own but was a mother to many and a comfort to all. 

She was predeceased by her husband J.C. Scott, both parents, two brothers, Nicholas and Peter, and a sister, Bebe Benoliel. 

She is survived by a sister, Betsy Houghton and two brothers, Harry and Thomas. 

There will be a private burial for family members and a celebration of her life at a later date.   

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Brandywine Valley SPCA at 1212 Phoenixville Pike in West Chester Pa.

Donna Parnell Rutledge

Donna Parnell Rutledge, 78, of Oxford, passed away at her home on April 24, 2023.

She was the wife of the late James Doyle Rutledge, Jr., with whom she shared 40 years of marriage. 

Born in Vicksburg, MS she was the daughter of the late Henry and Vera Strickland Parnell.

Donna was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Greenville, MS. She was also a book club and garden club member.

She enjoyed bike riding with her neighbors, going to church, and spending time with friends and family.

She is survived by one daughter, Angela (Bill) Meredith of Oxford; one son, Stephen T. Rutledge of Greenville, MS; three grandchildren, Amy Lauren Meredith, Taylor Meredith and Landon Meredith all of Oxford; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Bobbie Gail Pender and two sisters-in-law, Frances Towles and Lynette Donaldson.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association: https:// www.alz.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.  

Victor E. Leto

Victor E. Leto, age 95, of Kennett Square, passed away on April 24, 2023 at Chester County Hospital in West Chester. 

Born in Kennett Square, he was the son of the late Oreste Leto Sr. and the late Jennie Sicco Leto.  Victor lived in the same childhood home throughout his life.

Victor graduated from Kennett High School, Class of 1945. He then started college at Penn State University but was drafted into the Army during World War II, serving our country from 1945 to 1947.  He then returned to Penn State University and earned his degree from the School of Agriculture in 1950.

After college Victor started a large poultry business on the family farm, operating that for several years. He then established and operated a successful mushroom growing business.  Victor stayed abreast of advances in that industry, frequently attending post-graduate courses and seminars in the U.S. and abroad.

He enjoyed deer hunting and was an avid trout fisherman. He was a member of Shellbark Lodge, located in Lycoming County, Pa., where he not only hunted and fished, but made lifelong friendships with other members.

An accomplished pilot, Victor loved flying. He joined a group of local men who started the Kennett Flying Club in 1947.  The Club purchased a two-passenger Ercoupe, which they flew from a small field in New Garden Township where the Giant store is now located.

Even more than all his accomplishments, Victor was known for his extremely kind, encouraging and generous nature.  Always willing to lend his support, he was a constant, loyal caregiver to parents and siblings for 50 years. His nieces and nephews all have fond memories of time spent with their special uncle.

Victor is one of 10 brothers and sisters. He is survived by one brother, Robert Leto and his wife Kay of Kennett Square, and 15 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers, Joseph, Charles, Oreste “Tino” Jr, and Frederick and four sisters, Rosalie, Mary, Hilda Smith and Sylvia Fawcett.

You are invited to visit with Victor’s family and friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 13 at Church of the Advent, 401 N. Union St. in Kennett Square. His funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Cathedral Cemetery in Wilmington, Del. Contributions in his memory may be made to Kennett Area Community Service https://kacsimpact.org/support.

Arrangements are by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory of Kennett Square (484-734-8100). 

To view Victor’s online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Vickie Lynn Hazelwood

Vickie Lynn Hazelwood, of Oxford, passed away on May 5, 2023 at Lancaster General Hospital. She was 55.

She was the wife of Larry Dale Hazelwood, with whom she shared 40 years of marriage.

Born in Lancaster she was the daughter of the late George and Alma Atwood Holland.

Vickie loved the Lord and knew him as her Savior. She also loved her grandchildren as much as anyone. She loved her husband and son just as much, along with her brothers and sisters, with whom she spoke weekly and sometimes daily. She was a favorite Aunt to many of her nieces and nephews.  She also loved her cats and cared for them like they were children.  She was the type of person who made friends with everyone she met and had many extended family members. She was always smiling and always willing to help someone in need. She was truly one of a kind. 

She is survived by her husband; one son, Larry Hazelwood, Jr. and his wife, Lauren of Quarryville; three grandchildren, Gracie, Addie and Declan Hazelwood; two brothers, Jerry Holland and his wife, Stacy of Nottingham and Daniel Holland and his wife, Jamie of Colora, Md.; and three sisters, Margaret Holland of West Chester, Brenda Zimmerman and her husband, Ivan of Nottingham, and Connie Grinestaff and her husband, Dan of Nottingham.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 11 at the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church, 303 West Christine Road, Nottingham, where friends and family may visit from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Interment will be in the adjoining church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the funeral home to help with funeral costs.

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