Tanya Fay Gray

Tanya Fay Gray, 76, of Quarryville, Pa., passed on November 6, 2024 while at home.

She was the wife of Richard E. Gray, with whom she shared 34 years of marriage.  

Born in Beaumont, TX, she was the daughter of the late John and Gertrud Bowman.

Tanya was employed as a lab tech with Scotts Co. in Toughkenamon. She retired in 2012.

She enjoyed crafts, camping and canoeing. Tanya loved her animals and spending time with family.

She is survived by her husband; four children, Michele Taylor of Oxford, Robert Vincent of Peach Bottom,  Kimberly Kittlitez of Christiana, Pa. and Stacey Williams of Gap, Pa.; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one brother, David Bowman of Aston, Pa.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Rita Brown.

Services were held on Nov. 11 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. 

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the SPCA https://bvspca.org/ways-to-give.

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

Antoinette Licharowicz Staley

Antoinette Licharowicz Staley, or Toni as she was affectionately known, passed away on November 9, 2024 while at her home in Kennett Square. She was 91.

She was the wife of David C. Staley, with whom she shared 69 years of marriage. 

Born in Baltimore, Md. in 1933, Toni was the daughter of the late Joseph Licharowicz and the late Bertha Majewski Licharowicz. 

Toni graduated from Seton High School and then attended Loyola University in Baltimore, Md.

She loved the beach and enjoyed trips with her family to Ocean City, Md. 

In her free time, she liked to relax by completing crossword puzzles. Toni was a kind, generous person with a wonderful sense of humor. She was incredibly loving and will be deeply missed by her family and all who were lucky to have known her. 

In addition to her husband, David, she is survived by her children, Bridget Mulholland, Michael Staley, Victoria Ziethen and Timothy Staley, ten grandchildren; as well as 9 great grandchildren with another on the way. 

She was preceded in death by her son, David Paul Staley and her brother, Joseph Licharowicz. 

A mass of Christian burial took place on Nov. 14. Services were at St. Patrick Church in Kennett Square and interment was at St. Patrick Cemetery. 

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

Jessie A. Plyler

Jessie A. Plyler, age 87, of Oxford, passed away peacefully with family by her side at Ware Presbyterian Village on November 6, 2024. 

She was the wife of Richard “Dick” R. Plyler, with whom she shared 70 wonderful years of marriage.

Born in Tarentum, Pa. in 1937, Jessie was the daughter of the late Frank R. Watt and the late Pearl Etta Adams Watt.

Jessie and Dick were meant to be. They were high school sweethearts. Dick was a football player and Jessie was a majorette. Though the pair didn’t know it at the time, their high school romance would blossom into a happy family with four children and 70 years of married life together.

Jessie was a homemaker for many years. She had her hands full raising the children but enjoyed every minute of it. She was always involved in their activities, whether it meant being den mother to the boys in Cub Scouts or taking them all camping for weeks at a time.

Once the kids grew a bit older, Jessie worked as a teacher’s aide at Coebourn Elementary School. She then worked at Gimbel’s Department Store in the Granite Run Mall starting in the domestics department. She could fold a fitted sheet square. 

After moving back to the area from Glens Falls, NY, she worked at Happy Harry’s in Glen Mills.

Life continued and Jessie and Dick’s family grew. Her children had children of their own and before she knew it, she was a grandmother, a great-grandmother and a great-great grandmother. She loved being a grandparent. She always had a gift to give to her grandchildren and it was never without sentimental value.

Jessie was happiest when surrounded by her family. She reveled in holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas when they could all be together and she could cook them a delicious meal. At Christmas, everyone opened one gift at a time. As the size of their family increased, this meant opening Christmas presents in the morning would often lead late into the afternoon but that allowed Jessie to spend as much time as possible with her family, which was surely her favorite gift every year.

While living at Ware, she became a favorite to many staff and other residents. She was always up for telling a story about something that occurred with her family. Jessie was outgoing, strong-willed and incredibly loving.  She had a heart of gold and will be deeply missed.

In addition to her husband, Dick, she is survived by her children, Doug Plyler, Mark Plyler (Carolyn), David Plyler (Cathy) and Lisa Glass (Tom), and 10 grandchildren, DawnMarie, Stephen, Andrew, Joshua, Christina, Caitlin, Samantha, Matthew, Jonathan and Lauren.

Also surviving are 21 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and another great-great grandchild on the way.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, MaeJean Diewert, Richard Watt, Nancy Marshall and Frank Watt.

Funeral services were held on November 18 at Kuzo Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Longwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Jessie’s family kindly requests donations be made to Willow Tree Hospice in Kennett Square or Ware Presbyterian Senior Living Resident Enrichment Program in  Oxford.

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

Anthony W. D’Onofrio

Anthony W. D’Onofrio, or Doc as he was affectionately known, passed away at Christiana Hospital on November 12, 2024. He was a 91-year-old resident of West Grove.

He was the life partner of Sandy Savidge, with whom he shared 35 years of happiness. 

Born in Philadelphia in 1933, Doc was the son of the late Romeo R. D’Onofrio and the late Ida D’Ulisse D’Onofrio. 

After graduating from Salesianum, Doc earned his undergraduate degree from La Salle. He continued his higher education at Catholic University, where he was awarded his Juris Doctorate degree. 

Doc was an outstanding attorney and operated his own practice for over 50 years. His family would lovingly refer to him as the “orb of all knowledge” because if you had a question, Doc had the answer. He took his studies in law very seriously and held himself to the highest ethical standards. 

Doc was what you could call an animal whisperer. He loved all animals, and they loved him in return. Throughout the years, this shared affection meant that several strays, both dogs and cats, found permanent residence at Sandy and Doc’s home. Doc even cared for an abandoned baby bird and raised him until he was ready to leave the nest. 

A good meal and a good glass of wine shared with his family and friends was all Doc needed to feel content. He liked to have fun and appreciated the simple pleasures in life. 

He was incredibly kind and was there in an instant if you ever needed a helping hand. Doc brought a lot of good to the world and he will be deeply missed. 

In addition to his life partner, Sandy, he is survived by his children, Nicolette Christie, Marian Madrigal and Anthony Romeo D’Onofrio, and grandchildren, Amanda, Alexandra, Angela, and Sophia, and his great-grandchildren, Arya and Nick. 

He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard D’Onofrio.

Services for Doc will be private. 

In lieu of flowers and to honor Doc’s love of animals, donations in his name may be made to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. 

Arrangements are being handled by Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove. 

Thomas J. Dale

Thomas J. Dale, 84 of Denver, Pa., passed away on October 30, 2024 while surrounded by his loving family at Ephrata Community Hospital. 

Thomas was the husband of Melanie Wagner Dale, with whom he shared over 40 beautiful years with, including 28 years of marriage.

Tom attended West Catholic High School. He went on to own his own companies, Modern Home Insulators and Dale Waterproofing Systems. Tom successfully owned and operated his construction companies for 59 years.

Family was most important to Tom in life. He was an incredibly devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His grandchildren will most remember all the fun times spent together boating on the Delaware, Easter egg hunting, riding horses and ATVs at the ranch, flying drones, playing with his new gadgets, exploring the beautiful waters and beaches around Anna Maria Island, and enjoying time celebrating special occasions as a family.

Tom looked at life with the glass half full and radiated positivity. Through good times and bad, Tom was resilient. He had a high moral compass and never strayed from his principles. Tom was the patriarch of a family that will never be the same without him but will always carry on his legacy and live life to the fullest, just as Tom did.

In addition to his wife, Melanie, Tom is survived by his children, Linda Nave (Ron), Tom Dale, Jr., Sue Crane (Rick), Carolyn Branscome (Geoff); grandchildren, Scott, Pam, Beth, Sarah, Katie, Julia, Amanda, Marlie; step-grandchildren, Jason and Julie; great grandchildren, Mackenzie, Hailey, Nolan and A.J; as well as his brother, Michael. 

He was preceded in death by his brothers, George and Bob.

You are invited to visit with Tom’s family from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Kuzo Funeral Home at 250 W. State Street in Kennett Square. His celebration of life will begin at noon.

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

Shirley A. Poole

Shirley A. Poole, of Unionville, passed away at Twin Pines Health Care Center on November 8, 2024. She was 90.

She was the widow of Donald L. Poole, Sr., who passed in 2015. They shared 63 years of marriage.

Born January 11, 1934, Shirley was the daughter of the late William and Myrtle Allaband.

Shirley worked as a switchboard operator at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square for over 30 years.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square. She was active with the American Baptist Women and the Mission Board.

Shirley is survived by five children, Kathleen Allaband, Donna Bogle (George), Donald, Jr., (Donna Jo), Kenneth (Pat) and Barbara West (Joseph); 13 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and one brother, William Allaband of Cochranville, Pa.

Services were held at First Baptist Church of Kennett Square on Nov. 15. Interment will follow at Unionville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, 415 W. State St, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

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

 Junior Jackson Hamm

Junior Jackson Hamm, 95, of Newark, Del., went home to be with our Lord on November 13, 2024 while surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Lansing, NC on September 12, 1929, the son of the late Troy and Luna Ham.

He moved to Oxford at the age of 16 and became employed with the Oxford Cabinet Co. This is where he met Margaret Elizabeth Clark, who became his wife. They shared 62 years of marriage.

Junior dedicated 35 years of his life to a career with General Motors. In his retirement, he embraced his passions for fishing, hunting, cooking, gardening, carpentry, and reading his Bible. His life was marked by a profound love for God, family, and home. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Junior was cherished by all who knew him. His presence will be deeply missed, and his memory forever treasured.

He is survived by his children, Belinda and Steve Hill of Wahalla, SC, Judy and Tony Poe of Middletown, Del., Daniel and Marcy Hamm of Bear, Del., Patricia and John Dowell of Elkton, Md., Sue and Gary Haaf of Woodstown, NJ, and Jeff and Cheryl Hamm of Rising Sun, Md.

He is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, a sister, Ann Sanders of Elkton, Md., and a brother, JB Hamm of Lansing, NC. 

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Clark Hamm, three brothers, James Ham, Garland Ham, and Worth Hamm, and three sisters, Ardene Miller, Myrtle Paoletti, and Ersie Roland.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, at Truth & Life Center, 1924 W Pulaski Hwy, Elkton, MD 21921 (near North East), where friends may call from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. A private burial will be held on Friday, November 22.

The family offers special thanks to Delaware Hospice for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate or Delaware Hospice, 630 Churchman’s Rd., suite 200, Newark, DE 19702, delawarehospice.org.

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

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

Betty Jean Hallman

Betty J.  McLennan Hallman, 81, of West Grove, passed away on November 12, 2024 at Twin Pines Health Center. 

She was the wife of the late Charles M. Hallman, with whom she shared 50 years of marriage.

Born on September 25, 1943 in Elkton, Md., she was the daughter of the late James and Jeanie McIntyre McLennan and step-father Alex McLennan. 

Betty was a graduate of Bohemia Manor High School in Chesapeake City, Md.

She worked several years as the secretary for Borough of Avondale. She also worked at Wawa in Avondale and Kennett Square, and at Genuardi’s Market in Longwood before retiring. 

She enjoyed spending time with her family, watching Phillies baseball, gardening, fishing, metal detecting, puzzles and not letting her grandchildren win in board games. She spent many years volunteering and umpiring for Avon Grove Little League.

Betty is survived by three sons, Dave (Anita) Hallman, Glenn (Cathy) Hallman, and Michael (Stacey) Hallman, seven grandchildren, one great-grand daughter, and two siblings,  Jack McLennan and  Elsie Hufford. 

In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Bill and Bob McLennan, and a sister, Nancy Poore.

Services will be private. Interment will be at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Twin Pines Health Care Center and Willow Tree Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to your local charity during the upcoming holidays.

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

Daniel Urdaneta

Daniel Urdaneta, lovingly known as “Coach Urd,” passed away peacefully at the age of 40 at home while surrounded by family and friends after a short but courageous battle with cancer. 

To know him was to love him, and he touched countless hearts with his warmth, humor, and generous spirit.

Daniel’s greatest pride and joy in life was his son, Luca. He often said Luca was his greatest accomplishment, and his love and pride for his son were unmatched. Daniel had a lifelong passion for baseball and coaching, dedicating countless hours to mentoring players and sharing his love for the game. He was also one of the smartest people you could ever meet. He was able to fix anything—big or small—with ease. Beyond his talents on the field and at home, Daniel was an incredibly gifted singer, and he was honored to perform the National Anthem on special occasions. His love for his family, his passion for coaching, and his pride in Luca will forever define his legacy.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kris Urdaneta; his beloved son, Luca Urdaneta; his mother, Noris Perdomo; his father, Douglas Urdaneta; his grandmother, Alejandrina Rivas; his mother-in-law, Linda Cartlidge; his father-in-law, Frederick Cartlidge; his sister-in-law, Lindsay Cartlidge; his brother-in-law Nick DiAndrea; his brother-in-law, Frederick Cartlidge; his aunts Nora Perdomo, Natalia Perdomo, and Tinita Perdomo and their families; his nephews, Ryan and Nathan Cartlidge; his nieces, Julia and Aydriana Cartlidge; his "brother from another mother," Michael Mao; his many cherished cousins, aunts, and uncles; his loyal dogs, Chooch and Graham; and the countless players whose lives he touched as a coach, mentor, and friend.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 23 at 1 p.m. at the Unionville High School Varsity Baseball Field located at 750 Unionville Road in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the UHS Diamond Club to honor Daniel's love of coaching and baseball. Donations can be sent via PayPal to [email protected] or by mailing checks to UHS Diamond Club C/o Chris Manning, PO Box 958, Unionville, PA 19375.

As family and friends celebrate Daniel’s incredible life, they find comfort in knowing this is not goodbye but simply “see you later.” His love, laughter, and legacy will remain with them always, and they hold on to the hope of being reunited again one day.

As a reminder of life’s fragility and faith, consider these words: “Nothing is promised in life but death” (Job 14:5).

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

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

Eleanor “Duckie” Manfredi

Eleanor “Duckie” Manfredi, 94, of Avondale, passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by her family and lifelong friend Patsy Vanderkraats on November 15, 2024.

Duckie was the daughter of the late Alfred and Rose (Schuibbeo) DeFelice. She was born and raised in Toughkenamon and graduated from Kennett High School in 1948. She then attended the Modernella School in Philadelphia, and received her Beauty Culture Diploma in 1949.

Duckie worked at Connor’s Drug Store and Eve’s Beauty Salon in Kennett Square before marrying the late Louis Manfredi in 1951. Together they raised four children in Kennett Square.

Duckie enjoyed bowling in a local league with her husband Lou, and traveling with their many friends. She loved “The Jolly Ten,” a group of friends who met monthly to play cards and socialize.

When her children were older, Duckie returned to the workforce at Esther’s Beauty Salon and Peter’s Salon and continued for approximately 40 years.

In more recent years, she traveled and spent time with her companion, the late Freddie Leone.

Duckie found so much enjoyment in meeting her friends for coffee at McDonald’s religiously twice a week.

Also, she was honored as one of the oldest lifetime members of The Italian American Club.

Duckie’s greatest joy was making Pizzelles. She’d make a batch for practically everyone she knew and her recipe was definitely a local favorite.

Duckie is survived by three daughters, Deborah Bowman (Richard Dixon) of West Grove, Rosann Manfredi of Parkville, Md., Kathleen Abel of Wrightsville, Pa., and her son, Louis Manfredi (Amy) of London Grove.

She was blessed with two grandchildren, Matthew Russ (Tiffani) of Wrightsville, Pa., and Alexis Manfredi of London Grove, and one great-granddaughter, Mickenzie Russ of Wrightsville, Pa.

Duckie was predeceased by one brother, Thomas DeFelice, sons-in-law, Kenny Bowman, Ron Abel, and daughter-in-law, Valerie Jones.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with her family and friends from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, November 21 at the Kuzo Funeral Home at 250 W. State Street in Kennett Square and again from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Friday, November 22 at The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary Parrish at 300 State Road in West Grove, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. 

Interment will be at St. Patrick Cemetery at 450 North Union Street in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to The West Grove Fire Co. P.O. Box 201, West Grove, PA 19390.

To view Duckie’s online tribute and to sharer  a memory for her family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.