Josephine P. Boxler

Josephine Puma Boxler, affectionately known as Pippi, passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on August 1, 2025. She was a woman full of love, laughter, stories and sunshine.

Pippi was born in Johnstown, Pa. to the late John A, and Anna C. Puma. She was the proud sister of Anna Marie Burtness of Boulder, Colo. and the late Leonard J. Puma and a loving aunt to several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John A. Boxler, a son, Paul J. Boxler, and a grandson, Joseph D. Boxler. She is survived by her children, Margaret Smith (Marlay) of Stillwater, MN, Dan Boxler (Dorothy) of Kennett Square, John Boxler (Deborah) of Landenberg, Angela Tilton (Don) of Wilmington, Del. and her daughter-in-law, Robin Boxler of Landenberg. She also leaves behind her 13 adoring grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren who lovingly called her Mom Mom.

Pippi is best remembered as a kind and generous mother and friend. You never left her house hungry. Guided by her deep Italian heritage, she shared her love of good food and the importance of family. She was happiest when her house was full of people that she loved, and that extended beyond her family.

She was the first in her family to graduate from college, earning her degree from Marywood College in Scranton, Pa. She married John, and they settled in Wilmington, Del. and then later in Landenberg, where they raised their 5 children.

She became an elementary school teacher in Wilmington, Del. and then went on to teach in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District for over 30 years. Teaching was never a job to her. She loved helping children learn and she made sure they laughed along the way. She didn’t stop teaching, owning a classroom supply store and tutoring service, “A Step Ahead” in Kennett Square. After retirement she was a substitute in the Avon Grove School District for many years.

Pippi was a longtime member of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in West Grove.

If there was one place that rivaled her love of the classroom, it was the ocean. She spent nearly every summer from 1954 until she could no longer walk on the sand in Fenwick Island, Del., where she and John built a home full of sandy feet and happy memories. The home is still in the family today. Winters were spent in Bradenton, Fla., where she cherished her cousins and a close-knit group of friends.

She travelled widely, laughed often, prayed deeply, and gave generously. She volunteered for nearly everything and never met a stranger she didn’t want to help. She had the unmatched ability to make everyone feel at home, even when they weren’t. She had great friends because she was a great friend. Everyone she made contact with is a better person for having known her.

She will be dearly missed, but her spirit lives on in every family dinner, beach trip and story passed down the table.

You are invited to visit with Pippi’s family and friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, September 5 at St. Patrick’s Church at 212 Meredith Street in Kennett Square. Her funeral mass will begin at 11 a.m. 

Interment will take place at Unionville Cemetery, West Doe Run Road (Route 82) and Cemetery Lane in Unionville. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in her honor to St. Patrick’s Church of Kennett Square at 212 Meredith Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348, Auburn Heights Education Fund in memory of Joseph Boxler in Yorklyn, Del. (auburnheights.org/boxler-education-fund/BoxlerDonation), Holisticare Hospice www.holisticarehospice.org or the organization of your choice.

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

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

Maxine Evelyn Dixon

Maxine Evelyn Dixon, a resident of Rising Sun, Md. and formerly of Nottingham, passed away on August 16, 2025 at Calvert Manor Nursing Home. She was 90.

She was the wife of the late Benjamin Dixon, Jr.

Born in Sparta, NC, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Bertha Brown Smith.

Maxine was a member of Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church in Nottingham.

She is survived by three sons, Rev. Steven R. Dixon, Sr. and his wife, Bonnie of Colora, Md., Timothy Dixon and his wife, Sandy of Rising Sun, Md., and Craig Dixon and his wife, Sandy of Nottingham; five grandchildren, Steven Dixon, Jr., Jeni Dixon, Erin Pinno, Casey Mause and Joshua Dixon; four great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Dylan, Xena and Caleb; one sister, Juanita Coomes of Rising Sun, Md.; and one sister-in-law, Joan Smith of Nottingham.

Funeral services were held on August 19 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Interment will be in Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.

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