JoAnne B. Eckman

JoAnne Bencivengo Eckman, of Kennett Square, passed away on August 28, 2025. She was 82.

She was the wife of Walter Martin Eckman, with whom she shared 32 years of marriage. 

Born in Philadelphia, she was the youngest daughter of the late Marie Serviss Bencivengo and the late Michael Bencivengo.

JoAnne graduated from Chestnut Hill College and LaSalle University with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She worked as a registered nurse at several Philadelphia hospitals, retiring from Temple University Hospital, where she was the trauma coordinator and nursing director for critical care. She held all of her nursing friends in high regard, most especially her team at Temple University Hospital: Karen, Gretel, Ercele, Jigs, Debbie, Apple, and Terri.

She is survived by her husband, Walter, whom she fondly called “Bud.” He called her “Kid.” She is also survived by her sister, Michael Keenehan of Orland, PA; beloved nieces and nephews, Kathleen Marie, Cristin, Tara, Carrie and Lance; two step-daughters, Deborah Roy (Dwight) of Wethersfield, Conn. and Pamela Motter (Patrick) of Avondale; two granddaughters, Heather and Lily; one grandson, Robert; and many beloved cousins, including her dear friend, Raymond Bencivengo. 

She was predeceased by her sister, Marie Lapworth and her niece, Nina Sobel.

JoAnne loved to spoil her nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time with them, taking them shopping, finding the perfect gift, and creating special memories together.

A celebration of life service was held on Sept. 8 at the Avondale Presbyterian Church. 

Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society.

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

Linda Wallace

Linda J. Wallace, 82, of Oxford, went home to be with The Lord on August 22, 2025 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del. 

Born in White Plains, NY, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Elsie Fischer Thomas.

She was the wife of the late Lester D. McMichael, Sr., with whom she shared 23 years of marriage, and was the step-mother to Peggy Boohar, Becky Taylor, Dave McMichael, Janet Tice and Vickie Stoker, with seven step-grandchildren and many step-great grandchildren. 

Linda married James D. Wallace in 1993 and they shared 21 years of happiness until his passing in 2015.  She was step-mother to Lloyd Wallace and had two step-grandchildren.

Linda is survived by two children, Allen Thompson and his wife, Cheryl of Lincoln University and Christine McMichael Harper and her husband, Shawn of Oxford, and four grandchildren, Alyssa Duckworth, Jared Thompson, Ryan Harper, and Rachael Harper

Linda loved cooking, bowling, and having get-togethers with family and friends.  Linda never met “a stranger” and never forgot a birthday or special occasion.  She loved giving cards and gifts to family, friends, and co-workers from Herr Foods, Inc. in Nottingham. She worked there for 22 years before retiring in 2013.

A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 11 at the Union Cemetery at the intersection of Route 472 and Street Road in Kirkwood, Pa.

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

Mary D. Potts

Mary Potts (née Adams), of Morgantown, Pa., passed away peacefully on Aug. 28 while surrounded by her family. She was 70.

Mary was born in Abington, Pa. on Nov. 19, 1954. She grew up with her six younger brothers and sisters in the Philadelphia area where she graduated from Little Flower High School and met her future husband, John, as a teenager. They spent 55 wonderful years together, raising three children. Mary worked as a medical transcriptionist at several locations.

Mary was known for her love of travel, cooking, baking, animals, and quilting. She hand-made quilts for family milestones whenever she could, and she enjoyed the friendship and fellowship of many other quilters both in Pennsylvania and during her time living in Quad Cities, Illinois.

She cherished spending time with her large family, especially around the holidays where they shared food and caught up for the year.

Mary is survived by her husband, John; her daughter, Kathryn Conlow (John); two sons, John (Brianna) and Michael (Stephanie Greiser). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Peter, Mark, Claire, and Jeffrey Conlow and Avah Baez, and by her siblings, Michael Adams (Jeannie), Ellen Adams (John Zajano), David Adams (Eileen), Margaret Levy (Jeffrey), Colleen Smith (Patrick), and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, David J. Adams and Mary Elizabeth (Napoleon Adams) Mackey as well as her sister, Kathleen Huckel (Kevin).

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on September 12 at The Church of Saint Benedict, 2020 Chestnut Hill Road in Mohnton, Pa. Visitation will start at 9:30 a.m. with mass to follow at 11 a.m. Mary’s ashes will be inurned at All Souls Cemetery in Coatesville at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mary’s honor to the Animal Rescue League of Berks County at 58 Kennel Road, Birdsboro, PA, 19508.

Mary will be deeply missed, but she will still be with her family and friends through the love she shared, lessons she taught, and the close family she created.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Szpindor-Meyers Funeral Home.

Condolences may be made at www.meyersfh.com.

Robert K. Tumolo

Robert K. Tumolo, 81, of Oxford, passed away on September 6, 2025 at Twin Pines Health Care Center, West Grove.

He was the husband of the late Deborah Dugan Tumolo.

Born in Chester, Pa., he was the son of the late Edward and Margaret Honiker Tumolo.

Robert was a veteran of the United States Navy and served in the Vietnam war.

He was employed with Verizon as a service technician and retired in 2002.

Robert enjoyed gardening, cooking, woodworking and building bird houses and Adirondack chairs.  

He is survived by two sons, Bryan Tumolo (Morgan L.) of Nottingham and Chris A. Tumolo of Oxford, one granddaughter, Alyssa Tumolo, one sister, Jean Tumolo of Wallingford, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one son, Robbie Tumolo, and three siblings, Peggy Riccio, Eddie Tumolo and Jack Tumolo.

Services will be private.

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