Thomas Harold Lafferty
Thomas “Tommy" Harold Lafferty, a resident of Kennett Square and Earleville, Md., passed away peacefully on May 23, 2024. 

Tommy was born in Wilmington, Del. in 1951 and grew up in Kaolin, New Garden Township. He attended St. Patrick’s School and graduated from Kennett High School in 1969. In 1972 he married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen "Kathi" Kelly Lafferty. They recently celebrated 52 years of marriage. 

In addition to Kathi, Tommy is survived by his children, Kelleanne Smith (Sean), Erin Storm (Brian) and Christopher Lafferty (Jennifer), and grandchildren, Keira Smith, Austin Lafferty, Addison Lafferty, Ava Storm, Chloe Storm, Anthony Lafferty, and Audrey Storm. Tommy was predeceased by his father, Philip A. Lafferty and is survived by his mother, Marjorie Hartman Lafferty. He is also survived by three brothers, Philip Lafferty Jr. (Diane), Michael Lafferty, Stephen Lafferty (Teresa), his sister, Carol Doherty (Bruce), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Tommy learned the value of hard work at a young age. He started driving tractors at ten years old. One of his early loves was baling hay. After high school, he joined the Delaware Air National Guard and served for six years. After the service, Tommy served as President of his family's business, P.A. Lafferty and Sons, Inc., where he was a successful mushroom grower for many years. He also held the position of vice president of Mushroom Conveyors, Inc. In the early 1980s, he served as vice president of the American Mushroom Institute. He also enjoyed volunteering for the Mushroom Festival, Midnight in the Square, and for New Garden Township, where he was proud to be the helicopter Santa for many years. 

If you knew Tommy, you know he loved music. He loved playing music, especially his guitar, singing on stage, dancing, attending concerts, and listening to his favorite artists.

Tommy and Kathi raised their family in Landenberg, where Tommy enjoyed tending to his flower gardens, mowing the grass, driving the 1940 Ford with the top down, entertaining friends, and spending time with family. In recent years, Tommy loved being at his house on the Chesapeake Bay. Many happy memories were made there with family and friends. He especially enjoyed having the seven grandchildren there together and taking them on sunset cruises on Pop-Pop’s boat. Tommy's beloved bay house will not be the same without his presence.

Tommy recently said, “I tried to be kind to everyone and I received it back tenfold.” 

Tommy's family would like to thank the extended family as well as the Kennett friends and Earleville friends for all the love and support during Tommy's illness. 

You are invited to visit with Tommy’s family from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 31 and again from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 1 at Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church at 8910 Gap Newport Pike in Avondale. A funeral mass will follow at the church at 11 a.m. on Saturday. A lunch reception and life celebration will follow the mass. Interment will be private. 

If you wish to make a memorial donation in honor of Tommy’s love of the bay or his love of music, the family suggests the following organizations which are special: YMCA Camp Tockwogh at ymcade.org or the Kennett High School Friends of Music at givebutter.com.

Arrangements are being handled by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square.  

To view Tommy’s online tribute, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Bonnie B. Wilcox
Bonnie B. Wilcox, 94, of Avondale, passed away on May 18, 2024 at the Chester County Hospital. She was the wife of John Joseph Wilcox, who passed away in 2011, and with whom she shared over 50 years of marriage.

She was born in Mountain City, Tenn., the daughter of the late Samuel Icenhour and the late Vinnie Brookshire Icenhour.

Bonnie was a homemaker most of her life, and she also worked in the cafeteria at New Garden Elementary School for a short period of time.

She enjoyed doing puzzles, watching game shows on TV, crocheting and being with her family and friends.

Bonnie is survived by one son, John E. Wilcox and his wife Brenda of Avondale; two daughters, Phyllis A. Losito and her husband Anthony of West Grove and Sharon A. D’Amico and her husband John of Avondale; one sister, Elizabeth Dunn of Mountain City, Tenn.; 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by two sons, Jimmy Wilcox and Tommy Wilcox, one daughter, Barbara Gentry and eight brothers.

Her service and burial will be held privately.

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

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

Margaret Naomi Edwards
Margaret Naomi (Tucker) Edwards entered in the presence of her Lord and Savior on May 21, 2024.

Born on May 29, 1936, she was the daughter of the late John Clifton Tucker Jr. and Florence Crabtree Tucker.

Margaret was born and raised in West Chester, graduating from West Chester High School.  While in school, Margaret was employed as a part-time secretary for General Motors in West Chester.

Shortly after graduating high school, Margaret married Richard Willis Edwards Sr. They met on a blind date to a school dance, set up by her best friend and Richard’s brother.  Richard and Margaret married on Sept. 10, 1954. This upcoming September would have been their 70th wedding anniversary.

After marriage, Margaret joined Richard on the dairy and mushroom farm in West Grove.  Together with their children, Richard and Margaret left West Grove and moved to Oxford.  In Oxford they re-established and built their own mushroom houses. Richard credited Margaret for much of their success in running the business, by helping with the book work, keeping things in order, working in the packing room or wherever help was needed.  Both served on different boards and supported each other in organizations they were a part of.

When Richard and Margaret let the family business go, Margaret worked at Lambert Spawn as plant manager over one building.  She retired from Ware Presbyterian, where she began working in the laundry department, then moved to activities and finally she worked there as a receptionist.

Richard and Margaret attended Oxford United Methodist Church, where Margaret was involved with many activities, fundraisers, and she taught a discipleship class.

Margaret was known for her love of people.  She was congenial and outgoing, and enjoyed learning about people, their backgrounds and culture, along with trying various ethnic foods.  She loved her family very much and found opportunities to talk about them with others.  Margaret was a great debater, and took pleasure in music and dancing.  She liked animals and had many pets throughout her life.  Margaret was a bird watcher.  She enjoyed bird watching from her home.  In her kitchen she kept a bird book to help identify the birds at the feeder.  Margaret also appreciated the fine arts, history, learning and researching genealogy.  

Margaret was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, The Grange, The Mennonite Historical Society and other organizations. She also volunteered as a counselor for the Billy Graham 1992 Crusade in Philadelphia.

Margaret is survived by three children, Richard and Jean (Jones) Edwards Jr., Rebecca and Clay Ammon, and Brenda and Raul Villalobos.  Together they have 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and another little one on the way.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Richard Willis Edwards Sr. and their son Michael Stephen Edwards.

A celebration of life was held at Mt. Vernon Christian Church in Kirkwood, Pa. on May 25.   

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oxford Lighthouse Youth Center and Pioneers.  If donating to Pioneers, please reach out to family members for information to help support Richard and Margaret’s grandchildren in missions.

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

Donald Edward Porter, Jr.
Donald Edward Porter, Jr. passed away unexpectedly on May 18, 2024 after battling a life-threatening illness for over a year. He was 61.

He was the son of Donald Edward and Phyllis (Doss) Porter and he spent most of his life in Wawa, Pa. He was baptized in faith on March 25, 2001.

He attended Garnet Valley School where he had many friends including his best friend and loving faithful wife, Brenda Marino. They built their first home together. He worked in construction maintenance and was a fork lift operator. He had a great work ethic. 

Donald loved building classic cars with his son and showing them in car shows with his family. He also loved rock ’n’ roll, cooking, camping and sports, mainly the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Phillies.

He was kindhearted and a people person. Donald was funny and enjoyed playing jokes, especially on his twin nieces, Danielle and Christina and his nephew, Alex.  

He is survived by his wife, Brenda; his parents; one daughter, Gabrielle Faith Edwards and husband, Zac; one son, Donald Edward Porter, III and his partner, Jillian Curtis; three grandchildren, Tegan Faith, Emersyn Grace and Nora Quin; two sisters, Teresa A. Henry and Linda M. (Porter) Masten and husband, Jerry; and many cousins, nieces and nephews and aunts and uncles.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 24 at the Christ Church at the Grove, 1772 New London Road in Landenberg.

Interment will be private.

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 Preston Barnes Jr.
Robert Preston Barnes Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Unionville on May 22, 2024. He was 79.

Born in Atlantic City, NJ, he was the son of the late Robert Barnes Sr. and the late Louise (Zeits) Barnes (also known as "Big Pete and Muzz"). 

In his early life, he enjoyed adventures with his brothers, Jeff and Greg, and being the point man on everything when his family owned the Unionville Inn. He was a proud graduate of Waldron Mercy Academy and Bishop Shanahan High School, where he was a long-standing active alumnus of both schools.  

Robert began to truly live his best life when he met his bride, Barbara Blake, his “little girl,” with whom he shared almost 54 years of marriage. Bob and Barbara became the parents of one son, Chris, who was their absolute pride and joy. 

Chris, with his wife Katie, gave Bob three grandchildren, Blake, Emma, and Nora. A devoted “Poppy," he loved to entertain them with stories of the past and play endless games of Pick-Up Sticks. Without a doubt, Bob loved his family above all else.  

He had an uncanny ability to remember specific events, dates, and sports statistics—particularly those about Wilt Chamberlain. He also had a deep passion for old things, especially antique cars, and buying and selling real estate. He loved weekends in "the Little House" in Stone Harbor and ending the day with a well-made Manhattan nightcap.  

Bob prayed hard but quietly. He was an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Kennett Square, and was a regular at the 7:30 a.m. mass. 

Ever the gentleman, he carried himself with dignity, strength, and integrity. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. 

In addition to his wife, he is survived by, his son, Robert Christopher ("Chris") Barnes and his wife, Katie; his grandchildren, Blake William, Emma Loretta, and Nora Ann; his sibling, Jeffrey Barnes and his wife, Theresa; a sister-in-law, Nancy Barnes; a brother-in-law, Jim Blake and his wife Barbara; his nephews, Brendan, Jeffrey, and Steven, and a niece, McKenzie. 

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Gregory Barnes and beloved sister-in-law, Carol Blake. 

You are invited to visit with Robert's family and friends on Friday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church at 212 Meredith Street in Kennett Square. His funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow at Mendenhall Inn Restaurant at 323 Kennett Pike in Mendenhall, Pa.

Interment will be held privately.    

Contributions in his memory may be made to The Gift of Life Donor Program, 401 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 or http://www.donors1.org/give or to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or https://www.heart.org/ .

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

To view Bob's online obituary and leave condolences, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Brenda A. Powell
Brenda Ann (Sturgeon) Powell passed away unexpectedly on May 4, 2024 at her home in Chadds Ford. She was 74.

She was the spouse of the late Wilmer Powell, with whom she shared 26 years of marriage. Brenda was born in Elkton, Md. and was the daughter of the late Creston "Scott" Sturgeon and the late Ann Pyle Sturgeon.   

Brenda retired in 2005 after 25 years as vice president of Wilmington Trust Company. She also served on the board of Delaware's Arthritis Foundation. 

Brenda enjoyed the outdoors, cooking and baking, reading, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. As an active friend, mother, and grandmother, Brenda kept busy and lived life to the fullest.  

She will be remembered as a loving grandmother, and she was so proud of her granddaughters. 

Brenda is survived by her daughter, Candace Vogelsong (Adam) of Elkton, Md. and her twin granddaughters, Grace and Abigail Vogelsong.  

You are invited to visit with Brenda's family and friends from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, June 3, 2024 at the Episcopal Church of the Advent at 401 N. Union St. in Kennett Square. Her Life Celebration memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. with the reception to follow in the church hall. Interment will be held privately.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Adult Literacy Program of the Kennett Library kennettlibrary.org/donate. Checks can be mailed to the Kennett Library Adult Literacy Program, 320 East State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 or to Mighty Writers mightywriters.org/donate/ or checks can be mailed to Mighty Writers, Bok Building, 1901 South Ninth Street, #622, Philadelphia, PA 19148. 

Arrangements are being handled by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square. To view Brenda's online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.