Carol S. Birt

Carol S. Birt, of Oxford, passed away at her home on May 30, 2025. She was 83.

She was the wife of the late Dennis G. Birt, with whom she shared 58 years of marriage.

Born in Berwick, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Paul and Maxine Gensemer Reagan.

Carol graduated from Bloomsburg University with a degree in education.

She was employed with the Oxford Intermediate School as a teacher for 30 years and retired in 1994.

Carol was an avid bowler and enjoyed watching and playing tennis. She took pleasure in trips to the beach and her pets, and she especially loved her family and friends.

She is survived by her two daughters, Tracy Pietrinferni and her husband, Dante of Havre de Grace, Md. and Kathryn Moody and her husband Ken of Elkton, Md. and three grandchildren, Paul, Nicholas and Rian.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul and Tommy Reagan.

Family and friends visited on June 6 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380.

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

Hella Dohne

Hella Döhne, a beloved mother, grandmother, and soon-to-be great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2025 at the age of 86.

Born on November 4, 1938, in Kassel, Germany, Hella is predeceased by her father Dr. Ludwig Döhne, her mother Else Döhne, her brother Holger Döhne, and her ex-husband Archibald A. McKown. 

A woman of intellect and quiet strength, she lived a rich and full life defined by love for her family. Hella was exceptionally strong—she survived World War II in Germany, the loss of close family members following the war, Polio at the age of 8, and Tuberculosis at the age of 27. 

As a result of these early traumas, Hella experienced a lifelong struggle with mental illness, a constant battle that she fought openly, bravely, and in a manner that challenged bias and stigma.

Hella was the mother of three children, Beatrice Hiner (Michael) of Cataula, GA, Charlotta Turner (Scott) of Baltimore, Md., and Archibald McKown (Sarah), also of Baltimore, Md. She was a proud and loving grandmother to six grandchildren, Shawn Hiner (Kumari), Lindsay Hiner, Kelly Turner, Nate Turner, AJ McKown, and Andrew McKown. With great joy and anticipation, she looked forward to welcoming her first great-grandchild this coming November.

Before she had children, Hella received a trade certification as a bookseller and she reveled in her years working at Vietor’s, a well-regarded book store in Kassel. Hella volunteered at one of the first of Kassel’s “documenta” international art exhibitions, and she also worked for a time as a translator for the United States Army. After Hella moved to the United States in 1965, she taught German at the Berlitz language center in Philadelphia. 

Hella was an accomplished homemaker who found fulfillment in cooking and creating a warm, welcoming environment for her family. Hella enjoyed gardening and took pride in cultivating beautiful plants. A lifelong learner and lover of languages, she spoke English, German, and French fluently. Her days were often accompanied by classical music and thoughtful reading, particularly of The New York Times, which she enjoyed for its depth and perspective.

Hella's quiet wisdom, gentle humor, and love will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A private family service will be held in her memory. 

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a donation to the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI, the American Booksellers Association or Longwood Gardens at https://longwoodgardens.org/support —causes that brought Hella great joy.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com) in Oxford.

Martha Jane DiCecco

Martha “Jane” DiCecco passed away on May 30, 2025 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del. She was a 77-year-old resident of Newark, Del.

Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late James DiCecco and the late Kaye Duncan DiCecco.

Jane and her twin sister, Carolyn, grew up with their younger brother, Jim. They enjoyed spending time with their family, visiting relatives and attending family reunions.

Jane attended Avon Grove High School, Kutztown University, and the University of Pittsburgh. She worked at the University of Delaware Library and then as a Law Librarian at Dupont.

She was devoted to books and the subject of history, both American history, and that of her own family. Jane took it upon herself to research the genealogy and origins of their family. For many years, she enjoyed hiking with the Wilmington Trail Club.

Jane was also known for loving cats, elephants, and Longwood Gardens.

She was particularly close with her family and loved spending time with them. Her nieces and nephew grew up going to “Camp DiCecco” at Aunt Jane’s house for one week every summer and it was a time that they looked forward to every year and fondly remember.

She will be remembered for her love of her family.

Jane is survived by her siblings, Carolyn DiCecco and Jim DiCecco (Judy); her nieces, Elizabeth Cinque (Michael) and Sara Woodhead (Dan); her nephew, Andrew DiCecco (Adam); and great-nieces and nephews, James, Eleanor, Lucy, and Zeke.

Services will be announced at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the National Wildlife Federation at support.nwf.org/page/donate.

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

To view Jane’s online obituary and leave condolences for the family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Phyllis Esme Fitzgerald

Phyllis Esme Fitzgerald, of Nottingham, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025 while surrounded by her family. She was 93.

Born on January 11, 1932, in Dover, England, she was the daughter of the late Richard Williamson and Beatrice (Rogers) Williamson.

Phyllis was a dedicated homemaker, where she poured her heart into creating a warm and welcoming home for her loved ones. 

Phyllis was especially passionate about knitting, crafting beautiful items for women’s shelters and delightful baby sweaters that brought warmth and comfort to those in need. She loved gardening, where she was often found tending to her flowers, watching every flower bloom with the love she poured into them. In addition to her knitting and gardening, Phyllis enjoyed baking for her family. She had a special talent for creating delicious sausage rolls and traditional English pastries. The aroma of her baked goods would fill her home. Phyllis will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who were fortunate to know her.

Phyllis is survived by Maurice Fitzgerald, her loving husband of 69 years; her daughters, Ann Fanning (James), Susan Corby (Gerald), and Jane Amorin (Thomas); and grandchildren, Sean Fanning (Amy), John Amorin, and Jennifer Amorin.

In addition to her parents, Phyllis is preceded in death by a grandson, Justin Corby.

At the convenience of the family, services will be held privately. 

To send an online condolence, please visit, www.rtfoard.com. 

David Mark Haradon

David Mark Haradon, age 72, of southern Chester County, passed away on June 5, 2025. Dave was the loving husband of Peggy Lee (Murphy) Haradon, with whom he shared 51 years of marriage. Dave was born on October 23, 1952 in Nashville, Tenn. to Myron Ralph and Sara Claire Burke Haradon.

Dave fell in love with his wife, Peggy, in the Purdue University Marching Band where Dave played trumpet while studying as a chemical engineering major with a minor in marketing, and Peggy was studying to be a child life specialist while tossing a baton as a beautiful sequined majorette. 

After college, Dave began a career of more than 20 years with the DuPont company in senior management sales, marketing, product management and strategic planning roles. This caused his family to live in many areas of the country: Seaford, DE, Waynesboro, VA, Wilmington, DE, Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX, and Kennett Square. After leaving DuPont, Dave started his own webinar production company in 2001.

Dave’s pride and joy was being called Papa by those who love him. He is remembered for eating Papa-Oh’s and Krispy Kreme donuts (especially when the hot sign is on), and of course, there’s always Papa-Tea! His grandchildren will miss Papa playing monster at the playground and soccer and ping pong in the basement, going on long walks at the beach, finding horseshoe crabs, and treating them to Starbucks! Papa loved hosting popcorn movie nights and going to the movies. He played many rounds of frisbee golf with his grandchildren. Papa always had time for a conversation and loved to both teach and learn new things.

Dave cherished traveling with Peggy and his family, whether it be their annual trips to Massanutten, going to their beach house in Bethany, Delaware, visiting the family farm in Indiana where he could jump on a tractor to mow the lawn, exploring the National Parks, or adventuring to far-away places like Australia. He enjoyed music of all kinds – concerts, musicals, performing with his trumpet, or playing his banjo and guitar late into the evening hours. Dave was also always ready for a good prank (like the great toilet paper caper), good jokes, bad jokes, and even inappropriate jokes—cue an eye roll from Peggy. He loved his family, pickleball, skiing, golfing, playing games, and most importantly “happiness.”

Dave leaves behind this legacy of happiness and love for his family, and is also well known for leaving the world a better place through service to his community. Dave’s community service efforts started in his high school Key Club (Kiwanis) and continued during his early career with senior leadership roles in Jaycee International. In those early years, he was recognized as the Young Virginia Man of the Year in the late 1970s.

After their children went off to college, Dave began serving with countless organizations in the southern Chester County community. Dave joined the Longwood Rotary Club in Kennett Square in May 1999 “just because someone asked him to.” As a second-generation Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow (Dave’s Father: Club President-Clinton, Iowa) he was Longwood Rotary Club’s President from 2008-2009, District 7450 Conference Chair in 2011, Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) instructor, District 7450 Corporate Board of Director member, District Treasurer, and Rotary District 7450 Governor from 2016-2017. Dave’s passion for both individual and organizational leadership was manifested in many white papers, articles, and even a course on transformational leadership through the Rotary Leadership Institute “Transforming Your Rotary Club: How to Create an EXTRAORDINARY Rotary Club for your Members, Your Community and the World.” He instructed thousands of people in hundreds of organizations about creating extraordinary lives and showing how this relates to leading extraordinary organizations. One of Dave’s favorite quotes that reinforces Rotary’s ”Service Above Self” motto is, “The best way to find your own self is to lose yourself in the service of others,” by Mahatma Gandhi.

In addition to his work with the Rotary Club, Dave was the founding Board President of Family Promise, an inter-faith model to serve the homeless children and their families in Southern Chester County. He served as the Kennett Square Memorial Day Parade Committee Chairman, served for two years on the Historic Kennett Square Board of Directors and spent a year as the Oxford Main Street Executive Director. He was on the Board of Directors of the Oxford Area Civic Association and served as co-facilitator/leader with the bi-monthly Kennett Square “Bridging the Community” organization that brings people together to help meet the needs of the Kennett Square area and provides community service volunteer opportunities for residents. Together with Dansko, Inc., Dave helped “bridge” Project Cure, the largest provider of donated medical supplies and equipment to developing countries, resulting in the establishment of a new Project Cure refurbishment and distribution center in the former Dansko headquarters facility in West Grove.

Dave was also actively involved with local YMCAs, including serving as a technical producer for numerous Kennett YMCA and Jennersville YMCA Good Kids fundraising dinners. He also served on the Kennett YMCA Golf Fundraising Committee and on the Jennersville YMCA’s Togetherhood community service program committee. Dave also volunteered with or served with the Episcopal Church of the Advent, the Kennett Food Cupboard, LaComunidad Hispana, the Kennett Senior Center, and the United Way of Southern Chester County.

Dave was honored as Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce in 2015. Dave once said, “You can change someone’s life forever in a five-minute conversation along with the life of their friends, the life of the family and the lives of people that you will never know. That’s the game we are in. The game of “service above self.” The game of making a difference in someone’s life. Not by using a selfie stick, but using a selfless stick to build a better world.”

Dave will forever be remembered by his son, Jonathon Mark Haradon, and wife Sarah; his daughter, Marcia Lynne Preston, and husband Darrin; his grandchildren, Marlowe Lee Haradon, Mason Burke Haradon, Braydon David Preston, Madelyn Lee Preston, Destiny Alexis Preston, and Cody Sean Preston, and several great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his sister, Vera Lynne Haradon.

A funeral service to celebrate Dave’s life will be held Monday, June 16 at 2 p.m. at Church of the Advent in Kennett Square, with viewing at 1 p.m.  Please wear colorful attire to help celebrate Dave’s happy life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dave’s memory may be made to the Longwood Rotary Foundation https://longwoodrotary.com/page/rotary-foundation. The family also encourages everyone to pick up trash, sign up for a community service event, or do something nice for someone in Dave’s memory. In Dave’s words: “Consider the possibility of simply doing something for someone else, simply because you can.”

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

To view Dave’s online obituary and share a memory of Dave with the family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.