Kenneth S. Peron

Kenneth S. Peron, a resident of Lancaster, Pa., passed away on July 23, 2025. 

Born on November 5, 1969 in Somers Point, NJ, he was the son of the late James E. Peron and Jean L. Hammell Peron.

Ken graduated from Council Rock High School in Newtown, Pa. and then went on to Bucks County Community College to receive an associate of arts degree.  He finished his education at Bloomsbury University where a bachelor of science in business administration was conferred.

After college, Ken worked at Sears, Boscov’s and Lancaster General Hospital. He was also a camp counselor at a summer camp for those with special needs. He enjoyed reading, being part of the amateur (Ham) radio community with his father and collecting lighthouses and vintage Coca Cola memorabilia.

He is survived by two brothers, Keith D. Peron and husband Rick Kelley of Lewes, Del. and his twin Kyle S. Peron and wife Kelly of Pottstown, Pa.  

He was preceded in death by his brother, Kevin J. Peron.

Services will be held at a later date.

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

Barbara Jane Cutter

Barbara “Babs” Jane Jorgenson Cutter passed away on July 22, 2025 as a resident of Crosslands, an assisted living center in Kennett Square. She was 96.

Born in Philadelphia on June 19, 1929, she was the daughter of Rose (née Obendorfer) and George W Jorgenson. She was predeceased by her husband, Hugo Cutter, Jr., with whom she shared 18 years of marriage.

Babs grew up in southwest Philadelphia. After graduating from John Bartram High School in 1947, she received a diploma as an X-ray technician from Philadelphia General Hospital in 1949. She worked in the X-ray department at Philadelphia General Hospital for many years, eventually attaining a management position. After PGH, she worked for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health for 7 years. Babs was known for her tenacious work ethic and her unwavering determination to do the best for her patients and fellow employees.

Babs will be remembered for her sense of humor, generosity, love of animals, opera, art, birding, and travel. Most importantly, she will be remembered for her ability to make friends easily. She was very much loved by many.

In her later years, she found solace while sitting under her favorite Horse Chestnut tree and listening to the sounds of nature. Her cat, Snow, kept her company for more than 18 years. Snow was always willing to wake Babs each morning to indicate it was time for breakfast. Babs also loved visits from passing four-legged friends while relaxing on her patio. She especially enjoyed the therapy dog visits after she entered the health center.

Babs is survived by her stepdaughter Amy Sue Cutter, step-grandsons Jacob and Madison (Christine), and her step-great granddaughter, the light of her life, Stella. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.

If you find yourself missing Babs’ company, there is no doubt you can hear her say, “Get over it!!”

She wanted us all to find the way to live to our full potential… so, get with it.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Crosslands in Kennett Square for the loving care she received during her stay in skilled care following a stroke last fall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to your local animal shelter and/or Kendal-Crosslands Communities, for the Purpose of Firbank Employees, PO Box 100, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

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

To view Barbara's online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

M. Loretta McGraw

Loretta McGraw, a resident of Oxford and formerly of White Hall, Md., passed away on July 20, 2025. She was 83.

Loretta was born on June 19, 1942 to Mary Foley McGraw and Nelson McGraw. She grew up in Capitol Heights, Md. and graduated from Central High School in 1960.

Loretta attended the University of Maryland and earned her bachelor’s degree in education in 1964. She then began her first teaching job at Gwynn Park High School as a physical education teacher. During the summers, she was a camp counselor at Camp Navarac on Saranac Lake, where her love of the Adirondacks began and where many lifelong friendships were created.

She then attended Boston University and obtained her master’s degree in special education with a focus in deaf and blind studies in 1968. Loretta spent her career teaching vision and hearing impaired students while developing programs to promote inclusion for these students in schools. This was a novel idea at the time and she rose to the challenge. While working at the Maryland School for the Blind, she spearheaded a new outreach initiative to bring more children and their families into these programs so that they could be educated alongside their peers. 

Following her retirement from the Maryland State Department of Education in 2001, she built Pine Meadows Farm in White Hall, Md., where she spent her days with her beloved horses Sunny, Nugget, and Glory. They were, in her own words, “the bedrock of my existence.” When she was not with her horses, she was usually researching her family history, sailing the Chesapeake on her sailboat “Gemini,” or enjoying a chai tea with binoculars in hand and her yellow lab, Montana, at her side.

Loretta was a fierce advocate for women’s rights, social justice, and the environment. She was steadfast in her beliefs and dry with her humor. She will be missed by many cousins, friends near and far, and all those whose lives she has touched. 

A memorial luncheon will be held upstairs at Octoraro Tavern at 2 South 3rd St. in Oxford on Monday, Aug. 11 from noon to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Canine Companions or Community Forklift in Hayattsville, Md. at www.communityforklift.org/donate/donate-funds/ in her memory. 

Harold M. Weiner

Harold “Hal” M. Weiner, 90, of Lincoln University, Pa., passed on July 9, 2025. 

Born in New York City in 1935, Harold “Hal” M. Weiner was a bold and visionary attorney who helped shape the legal foundations of both the labor and LGBTQ rights movements. After graduating from Adelphi College, he served in the Navy on the USS Essex. A graduate of NYU Law School, he began his career with the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (ACWA), where he defended union members and championed workers’ rights during a pivotal era of labor activism. 

In May 1970, Hal made history by meeting and defending Sylvia Rivera, who was arrested in Times Square while collecting signatures for Intro 475—the first New York City bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, employment, and public spaces. That impromptu defense led to his becoming general counsel for the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), and his work helped open the door to future LGBTQ litigation and advancement. 

In the mid-1990s, Hal had a conversion experience and became an Episcopalian. He was an active member of the Congregation of St. Saviour at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. As a member, he participated in many social justice and advocacy interfaith efforts, particularly after the tragedy of September 11, 2001. 

In retirement, Hal fully embraced two of his passions: he became a licensed New York City tour guide on double-decker buses and devoted himself to street photography as a member of the National Press Photographers Association. 

With a larger-than-life personality and an irresistible charm, Hal naturally collected friends from every corner of the world and every imaginable background. His life was a rich tapestry of relationships, woven from his travels, his passions, and his innate ability to make a stranger feel like a lifelong friend. 

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis J. Murray; his children, Mari Keiko Gonzalez (Kim), Joshua S.M. Weiner, Justin M. Weiner (Beth), and Jane Duda (Steve); and his grandchildren, Devon Kameko Gonzalez, Tyler Foresta, Olivia Foresta, and Lucy Duda. 

A funeral service will be held on Aug. 16 at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 116 Lancaster Pike in Oxford. 

Visitation will be at 10:30 a.m. with the service at 11 a.m. and repast to follow.

A second funeral mass with interment of ashes will be held on October 11, 2025, at 11 a.m. in the Great Choir at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY.  Reception to follow at Cathedral House.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Lambda Legal https://give.lambdalegal.org/give/709813/#!/donation/checkout  or St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Oxford.

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

David Joseph Madonna

David Joseph Madonna, a beloved husband and father, left this world peacefully while surrounded by his loving family on Aug. 3, 2025. He was 66.

David was born in Wilmington, Del. on Feb. 22, 1959, the son of Francis and Helen Madonna. He grew up in Kennett Square and attended Kennett High School. His zest for life and dedication to his loved ones were evident from a young age. 

Throughout his life, David was a pillar of strength and a source of unwavering support for his family. He was a loving husband to Bonnie, and together, they shared 35 years of cherished memories and boundless love. As a father, he was a guiding light to his children, Jessica and Jacob, instilling in them values of integrity, hard work, and compassion. 

Professionally, David had a remarkable career as a long-haul trucker with several different companies, but most notably with the Manfredi Company. He was known for his dedication and commitment to excellence, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues and peers. 

In his free time, David enjoyed fishing, attending car shows, and celebrating his favorite holiday, Christmas. Nothing brought him more joy than decorating his Christmas tree every year, choosing each ornament with care and turning his tree into a work of art. 

David is preceded in death by his parents and his eldest brother, Francis. 

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his children, Jessica Mann (J.P.)  and Jacob Madonna (Natalie Marchand); his brothers, Daniel (Rosie) and James (Shirley); his sister, Michelene; and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his extended family and a wide circle of friends, all of whom will remember him fondly and were touched by his warmth and kindness. 

A celebration of his life will take place at a future time. 

Memorial contributions can be made to your local animal shelter or the American Cancer Society.