Quantcast
Channel: Obituaries – Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA
Viewing all 314 articles
Browse latest View live

Thomas J. Myer Jr., stockbroker and decorated veteran

$
0
0

Thomas J. Myer Jr., 92, of Chestnut Hill, a retired stockbroker and a decorated war veteran, died Sept. 9 at Keystone House in Wyndmoor.

Mr. Myer retired as an investment advisor in 2000 after working at several Philadelphia brokerage houses and, more recently, on his own.

He had served in the Marines in both World War II and the Korean War, and was awarded a Bronze Star, a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts for his service in the latter conflict.

He joined the Marines after graduating from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in 1942. He was among the first wave of Marines to hit the beach in Okinawa in 1943 and later witnessed the destruction of Nagasaki when he patrolled the city after the dropping of the second atomic bomb.

He was recalled to the Marines during the Korean War, promoted to lieutenant and sent to the front lines north of the Chosin Reservoir during the winter of 1950 when his Marine division was surrounded by the Chinese Army in a surprise attack. In a deliberate retrograde movement, the Marines turned and fought for 17 days and nights down a narrow road through several mountain passes until reaching transport ships waiting at the coast and were evacuated with their equipment and wounded and fallen comrades.

Mr. Myer was awarded the Silver Star for leading a team of Marines behind the firing lines to capture an enemy general. He was awarded the Bronze Star for saving his platoon by leading them away from an enemy onslaught by crossing a minefield. He encouraged his men to step in the imprints of his boots, knowing any step could have been his last.

He was wounded twice in the war and was awarded two Purple Hearts.

Mr. Myer received a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University in 1949.

He was a member of the Union League, a lifetime member of both the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution and the Colonial Society, and a member of the Penllyn Club.

A lifetime resident of Chestnut Hill, he rode the Chestnut Hill West train to Center City from the St. Martin’s Station for 50 years.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, the former Mary Anne “Polly” McNelis; daughters Julia Carroll Myer Ward, Anne Anastasia Myer Politzi and Mary Cassandra Myer Surer, and six grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was held Sept. 19 at Our Mother of Consolation Church in Chestnut Hill.

Memorial donations may be made to the Veterans Administration. – WF

The post Thomas J. Myer Jr., stockbroker and decorated veteran appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.


James Gary Ellis Miller

$
0
0

James Gary Ellis Miller, 20, died September 19, 2015 at Keystone House Hospice in Wyndmoor. He was born in Philadelphia and lived in Chestnut Hill and Wyndmoor all his life. Though short, his life was a happy one. He loved playing with the five boys who lived just across the street, participated in Chestnut Hill soccer and little league teams, and enjoyed riding his bike, skateboarding, sledding and snowboarding. He attended Plymouth Meeting Friends School and was a member of the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. James was an enthusiastic learner and especially enjoyed studying Antarctica, salt-water crocodiles, and musicology. He had many memorable Halloween costumes and is perhaps best remembered as the Mad Scientist, wearing a white lab coat and carrying a beaker filled with dry ice in the school parade. During summers and holidays he made many trips with his family to the mountains of North Carolina and the Georgia coast to visit his grandparents. James graduated from Springfield Township High School in 2013. There he excelled in the visual arts, creative writing and journalism, and played saxophone in the school band. He was active in the Youth And Government organization as a member of its Press Corps and Editor-in-Chief of its 2013 newspaper. In the High School’s 2012 student art exhibition James’ wire sculpture received the Juror’s Award. In 2013 he received the High School’s Myra Plumridge Art Award and an award for Best in 2D Category in the PA State Education Association’s Annual Art Exhibition, a juried show featuring works from 27 regional high schools. James was a prolific cartoonist. He posted his work on Tumblr and authored a comic strip titled “Document One” for the STHS student newspaper, where he also served as a movie critic and reporter. James was drawn to the visual arts due to his own talent and the influence of his father, Gary Miller, a local artist and teacher who died in 2013. James attended art school at Ohio University, which awarded him a Fine Arts Talent Trustee Award and Academic Scholarship. He later transferred to Temple University, in the city he loved, to pursue his B.A. James was keenly interested in creative writing and 2D illustration, and spent many hours pursuing these passions on his own. James had a sharp intellect, a quirky and playful sense of humor, and great sensitivity. He was a voracious reader and adored music of many genres, ranging from jazz, folk and rock to contemporary music. He was a fan of the Philadelphia Folk Festival and enjoyed attending concerts at many venues throughout the city. He is survived by his mother, Jo Ann Miles Miller, of Wyndmoor; sister, Laura Miller and godfather John Hunt, both of New York City; girlfriend Phoebe Funderberg-Moore of Mt. Airy; grandmother, Evalyn Miles, of Savannah, GA; aunts Laura Crank, Judy Newbern and Lynne Clark; and eight cousins. He was loved intensely and will be missed forever. Relatives and friends are invited to James’ Memorial Service Saturday October 10th, 1:30pm at the Church of St Martin-in-the –Fields. Internment is Private. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to KeystoneCare Hospice, 8765 Stenton Ave., Wyndmoor PA 19038; Church of St. Martin-in-the Fields, 8000 St. Martin’s Lane, Philadelphia PA 19118; or Plymouth Meeting Friends School, 2150 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting PA 19462.

The post James Gary Ellis Miller appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

Anna Bush Hart, teacher

$
0
0

Anna Bush “Ann” Hart, of West Mt. Airy, a teacher at Germantown Friends School for more than two decades, died Sept. 23 of heart failure at Arbor Terrace in Chestnut Hill.

Mrs. Hart had taught French at Germantown Friends from 1967 to 1984, when she went to the University of Pennsylvania to coordinate international fellowships and assist foreign scholars. She retired in 1990.

Born in Waterbury, Conn., she lived in difficult circumstances during the Great Depression, but a teacher who recognized Mrs. Hart’s remarkable intellect encouraged her to pursue her education. She graduated from Crosby High School in Waterbury as the valedictorian of her class at 17 and received a full scholarship to Smith College, becoming the first member of her family to attend college.

While teaching history and French at Amherst Regional High School, she returned to Smith College to obtain a master’s degree. She applied for and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study French history in Dijon, France, and traveled to France on the S.S. United States with her young children.

Until the last few years of her life, she traveled extensively throughout the world with friends or her daughter. She also doted on her four grandchildren, taking them to museums, making each their favorite meal, teaching them to cook, and giving them exotic items from her many travels.

Mrs. Hart’s marriage to Henry Hart Jr., of Williamstown, Mass., ended in divorce.

She is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth; four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. A son, Henry, preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at Germantown Friends Monthly Meeting, 47 West Coulter St., Philadelphia, PA 19144.

Memorial donations may be made to the Germantown Monthly Meeting. – WF

The post Anna Bush Hart, teacher appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

Charles L. McIlvaine III, insurance broker

$
0
0

Charles Lee McIlvaine III, 71, of Wyndmoor, an insurance broker, died Sept. 1 at his summer home in Harpswell, Maine.

Mr. McIlvaine, who retired in 2004, had worked for several insurance and brokerage firms in the Philadelphia area.

Raised in Chestnut Hill, he was a graduate of Chestnut Hill Academy, where he was active in alumni affairs and CHA’s annual fund-rasing campaigns. In 2012 he organized a successful 50th reunion for his Class of 1962.

He attended Trinity College and graduated from the College of Life Underwriters in Bryn Mawr with a CLU degree.

Mr. McIlvaine served with the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry and the National Guard for more than 39 years. He was a member of the Philadelphia Mineralogy Society and the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia.

He was a lifetime summer resident of Harpswell, Maine, where he was a member of the Orr’s-Bailey Yacht Club, All Saint’s Chapel, and the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, the former Susan Merritt; a son, C. Lee McIlvaine IV; a sister, Anne McIlvaine Walmsley, and a granddaughter. A son, Edward Morris McIlvaine, and a sister, Ellen Louise Farnum, preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct.16, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., in Chestnut Hill.

Memorial donations maybe made to the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry Military Heritage and Education Foundation (FTPCCMHEF), The Armory, 22 S. 23rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19130, or to the Edward McIlvaine Scholarship, Philadelphia Outward Bound, 3250 W. Sedgley Drive, East Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA 19130. – WF

The post Charles L. McIlvaine III, insurance broker appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

Fern A. Carrie, bank executive

$
0
0

Fern Alexandra Carrie, 56, of Chestnut Hill, a bank executive, died Sept. 25 of complications of systemic scleroderma at Wyndmoor Hills in Wyndmoor.

When she retired in 1997, Mrs. Carrie was vice president in the Finance Department at Mellon Bank, where she had been employed for two decades.

She received a bachelor’s degree from McGill University in Montreal, graduating with honors, and a master’s in business administration from the University of Toronto. After graduating, she was recruited by Mellon Bank, prompting her to move from Canada, where she was raised in Ville St. Laurent, Montreal, to the United States, where she worked for Mellon in Pittsburgh and then in Philadelphia.

As a 12-year-old, Mrs. Carrie won the Ontario swimming championship. She continued to swim throughout her life, usually a mile or more every morning, followed by a walk of at least a mile in the evening until her illness forced her to stop. She was often seen strolling around Chestnut Hill with her fanny pack and headphones.

Her latter years were devoted to her family and the restoration of her home and its gardens. Her vegetable garden annually yielded a healthy harvest of tomatoes, peppers, squash and lettuce – often too plentiful to be consumed by her family – and she was known to give much of her food to friends around Chestnut Hill.

Her efforts in the garden and in the five-year restoration of her home were honored by the Chestnut Hill Historical Society in 2014.

She is survived by her husband, Michael B. Mann; sons Philip A. Pié and Ian Carrie-Mann; her mother, Jean Carrie, and a sister, Fiona Carrie-Field.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104. – WF

The post Fern A. Carrie, bank executive appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

James E. Buckley, fine arts appraiser

$
0
0

James E. Buckley, 71, of Chestnut Hill, a fine arts appraiser and auctioneer, died Sept 3 of pneumonia at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital following treatment for pancreatic cancer.

When he retired in 2014, Mr. Buckley was executive director and vice president of fine arts at Freeman/Fine Arts, an auction house in Philadelphia.

The Freeman/Fine Arts firm was the result of a merger in 1988 of Samuel T. Freeman & Co., at 1808 Chestnut St., and the Fine Arts Co. of Philadelphia, at 2317 Chestnut St., a company that Mr. Buckley had helped to manage. For both firms he served as a general appraiser and auctioneer and mentored new auctioneers.

As executive vice president, he was instrumental in making Freeman/Fines Arts a major force in the auction world.

Born in Chicago, he was a graduate of South Shore High School and studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Cleveland Institute of Technology.

He served in the Air Force and was an illustrator for the military police at the Oscoda, Mich., Air Force base.

Mr. Buckley had worked for a time as a disk jockey at WCGM radio in Gulfport, Miss., and moved in 1972 to Philadelphia, where he joined Samuel T. Freeman & Co. as an apprentice.

He enjoyed traveling in Europe by car, collecting fine art, American jazz, movies of the ’30s and ’40s, and fine food in unpretentious restaurants.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, the former Sheila Margaret Sutton; a son, Philip, and a brother, Arthur, of Chicago.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church, 8000 St. Martin’s Lane in Chestnut Hill. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Burial is private.

Memorial donations may be made to the James E. Buckley Memorial Scholarship, 56 W. Willow Grove Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118. – WF

The post James E. Buckley, fine arts appraiser appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

Jane C. Ballard, community leader

$
0
0

Jane Catlett Ballard, 88, formerly of Wyndmoor and Fort Washington, a community leader in the areas of music education and interracial relations, died Oct. 6 of heart ailments at Cathedral Village in Andorra.

A lover of classical and choral music, many of Mrs. Ballard’s civic activities reflected her belief in the power and importance of music in education and community. Her interests in the music world expanded to board roles at Jenkintown Music School and the New School of Music. She later was board president of the National Guild of Community School of the Arts and the Kardon Institute for Creative Arts Therapy.

She served on the board of the Philadelphia Fellowship Commission from 1971 to 1974 and became passionate about finding solutions to the problems of poverty and racism in Philadelphia and was impatient with the status quo.

Born in Hagerstown, Md., Mrs. Ballard grew up in Staunton and Richmond, Va.,where she attended St. Catherine’s School. She graduated from Vassar College in 1949 and lived for a time in New York City where she was as an assistant to the dean of students at Union Theological Seminary.

A lifelong piano player, she also played organ for the Church of the Redeemer in Sorrento, Maine, where she and her family spent their summers. She sang with musical groups at Vassar and at St. Thomas’ Church, Whitemarsh, the Berkshire Choral Festival and Germantown Academy in Fort Washington.

After moving to Cathedral Village, she founded a chorus of, in her words, “gently aged voices,” which now numbers 50.

At Cathedral Village, she served as an officer of the Residents’ Association and was a member of the 35th Anniversary Capital Campaign. She was also an enthusiastic and talented play reader who, at the time of her death, was looking forward to playing the role of the irascible Southern lady in “Driving Miss Daisy.”

She is survived by a daughter, Martha Barton Ballard, of Minneapolis, Minn.; a son, Francis Ballard Jr., of Larchmont, N.Y.; a brother, Richard H. Catlett Jr., of Richmond, Va.; and four grandchildren. Mrs. Ballard’s husband, Francis Ballard, a partner in the law firm of Ballard Spahr, died in 2014.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the First United Methodist Church of Germantown, 6001 Germantown Ave. (at High Street) in Philadelphia. Memorial donations may be made to Cathedral Village, 600 E. Cathedral Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19128. – WF

The post Jane C. Ballard, community leader appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

Jean A. Hefline

$
0
0

Hefline, Jean A. (nee) Adair, Oct 18, 2015. Wife of the late George B. Hefline. Loving Mother of Jean B. (Neil Feinstein) Hefline and Jill H. (the late Robert A.) Greenberg. Grandmother of D. Scott (Laynie) and Mark B. (Keelin) Greenberg, also survived by 5 great grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to her Memorial Service Friday, Oct. 30th at 1 PM in The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill. Interment in the Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Jean’s name may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 225 City Ave., Suite 104, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.

The post Jean A. Hefline appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.


Edwin H. Stulb III, business owner

$
0
0

Edwin Hunter “Ed” Stulb III, 93, formerly of Chestnut Hill, who was president of his family’s paint manufacturing firm, died Oct. 15 of pneumonia at Grand View Hospital in Sellersville. He had been living at the Peter Becker Home in Harleysville for the past eight years.

Mr. Stulb had worked for and was president of the Stulb Co., of Allentown, for more than 53 years. The family firm is known today as the Old Village Paint Co., of Perkiomenville.

A longtime resident of Chestnut Hill, Mr. Stulb was active in the local Town Watch. He also donated paint for the renovation of the Chestnut Hill West train station.

Born in Philadelphia, he was a graduate of Germantown Academy. He served in the Army during World War II.

He was a former member of the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, where he had served as an usher and a deacon. He was a member of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Harleysville.

Mr. Stulb was a member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Union League of Philadelphia.

He is survived by a son, Edwin Hunter “Win” Stulb IV, of Gwynedd Valley; daughters Marguerite S. “Meg” Loftheim, of Ponte Vedra, Fla., Rebecca S. “Becky” Matz, of Schuylkill Haven, and Elaine S. “Laney” Landis, of Schwenksville; his special friend, Naomi Bergey; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Mr. Stulb’s wife, the former Elaine Garrabrant, died in 2010.

A memorial service will be held at noon Friday, Nov. 6., at the Peter Becker Memorial Chapel, 800 Maple Ave., Harleysville. Friends may call at the chapel from 11 a.m. to noon.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio St., Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60611 – WF

The post Edwin H. Stulb III, business owner appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

John J. McCooe

$
0
0

Jack passed away peacefully on November 1, 2015 at the age of 85 with his wife Bobbie by his side, surrounded in his final days by his children, grandchildren and brother Bill. Married in 1961, Bobbie (Barbara Ann née McCarthy) was his faithful partner and the love of his life. Together, Jack and Bobbie raised six children in Ridgewood, NJ where they had an extraordinary circle of close friends. Jack also had 17 grandchildren whom he loved beyond words. Among his children was Dennis McCooe, recently of Chestnut Hill, and now residing in Wynnewood with his wife Theresa (née Donaghue) and their 17 year old son Charlie. Jack and Bobbie loved the “Top of the Hill” and visited often, especially to cheer on Charlie and his Lightning, Grizzlies, and Pirates teammates in Chestnut Hill Youth Sports programs. All who knew Jack will miss his presence, but take solace from having been loved by him so well. Visitation will take place on Thursday, November 5, 2015 from 4-8 PM at Feeney Funeral Home, 232 Franklin Ave., Ridgewood. Family and friends are also invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, November 6 at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, One Passaic Street in Ridgewood. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to: “CF Care,” c/o Dr. Gwen Engelhard, 55 East End Avenue, Suite 14D, NY, NY 10028.  CF Care supports Cystic Fibrosis patients in the NY metro area.

The post John J. McCooe appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

S. Lee von Seldeneck – 1968-2015

$
0
0

Steven Lee von Seldeneck passed away on Saturday, November 21, with his family at his side. Lee lived life to its fullest from his earliest days. Though he battled meningitis and lost his hearing as a child, he never looked upon this loss as a deficit. Instead, Lee was genuine, making fast friends with everyone he met. Those who knew Lee loved him dearly and adored his playful spirit, his mischievous grin, and his love of life. He most enjoyed spending time among family and friends—watching his beloved Eagles, listening to the waves crashing on the beach in Cape May, basking in the early morning sun along the Eastern Shore, or watching the moon rise over Seneca Lake. Lee found inspiration in everyone around him. His parents taught him the meaning of unconditional love and unyielding loyalty. His sisters taught him many things including the resilience needed for their favorite game of “falling tree!” Mostly though, they taught him how to love deeply and passionately as spouses and as parents themselves. From his seven nieces and nephews, Uncle Bubba, as they affectionately called him, learned what pure joy and happiness were. And, from his friends, Lee learned the truest meaning of philadelphia—brotherly love. He cherished these “brothers” throughout his life. More recently, Lee met the love of his life, marrying Kelly in 2013 after a fairytale romance. Lee’s devotion to Kelly was undeniable. They relished in each other’s company, spending time together with their adopted hound dog, Shiner, who quickly became Lee’s second great love. Shiner brought much joy and comfort to Lee throughout his last days. Born and raised in Chestnut Hill, Lee attended Norwood-Fontbonne Academy and Chestnut Hill Academy. He graduated from The Hun School in Princeton. He received his B.A. from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 1991. Lee spent the majority of his career in the performance measurement sector of the asset management industry. He was also a proud member of the Philadelphia Cricket Club among other social clubs and a long-time season ticket holder of the Philadelphia Eagles. Lee is survived by his wife, Kelly Hanlon von Seldeneck; his parents, Woody and Casey von Seldeneck; sister and brother-in-law, Pam and Tom Harris and their three children, Billy, Maddie and Storrie; sister and brother-in-law Laura and Dan Prochniak and their three children, Jack, Lexi, and Brooke; as well as his uncle and aunt, Clay and Judee von Seldeneck and their children Roddy and Kevin.Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2015, at 1:00 pm at St. Thomas’ Church Whitemarsh located at 610 Church Road in Fort Washington. Interment will follow at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in Lee’s name to: Hobart and William Smith Colleges, 300 Pulteney Street, Geneva, New York 14456.

The post S. Lee von Seldeneck – 1968-2015 appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

William J. Hammer

$
0
0

Hammer, William J. M.D. on November 15, 2015 of Kiawah Island, S.C. and formerly of Phila., PA. Beloved husband of Marian E. (nee Hamilton). Loving father of Ethan and Shaun. A funeral mass was held Saturday, November 21, at St. Joseph’s Villa Chapel, 110 W. Wissahickon Ave., Flourtown, PA 19031. In lieu of flowers donations to Inn Dwelling Attn. Brother Al Smith, 109 E. Price St. Phila, PA 19144 would be appreciated.

www.mayfuneralhome.com

The post William J. Hammer appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

William J. Hammer, physician

$
0
0

William J. Hammer, a cardiologist who was chairman of the Department of Medicine at Chestnut Hill Hospital for more than 25 years, died Nov. 15 of heart failure on Kiawah Island, S.C., where he had been living since 2013.

Dr. Hammer, who formerly resided in Lower Gwynedd, joined the medical staff of Chestnut Hill Hospital in 1981 and had served on many of the hospital’s executive-level committees. He also was a practicing cardiologist with the Chestnut Hill Cardiology group practice in Flourtown.

Throughout his career he held a faculty appointment at Temple University Hospital and had staff appointments at Jefferson Medical College and the Medical College of Pennsylvania. He was widely published on cardiovascular disease and lectured on the topic across the region.

He was a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He was a member of the Philadelphia Academy of Cardiology, serving as its president in 1992 and 1993, the Philadelphia County Medical Society and the American Heart Association.

Born and reared in Germantown, Dr. Hammer was a graduate of Northeast Catholic High School and what was then La Salle College. He received his medical degree from Temple University’s School of Medicine in 1969 and served as chief resident in internal medicine at Temple University Hospital in 1972 and 1973. He completed a fellowship in clinical cardiology at Georgetown University Medical Center.

An avid golfer, he was a longtime member of North Hills Country Club.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marian E. Hammer; and sons Ethan and Shaun. Services were held Nov. 21.

Memorial donations may be made to Inn Dwelling, Attn: Brother Al Smith, Director, 109 E. Price St., Philadelphia, PA 19144. – WF

The post William J. Hammer, physician appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

Mary E. P. Lewis, artist and volunteer

$
0
0

Mary Elizabeth Pilling “Lizzie” Lewis, 90, an artist and community volunteer, died Nov. 30 at The Hill at Whitemarsh.

A longtime Chestnut Hill resident, Mrs. Lewis had served on the board of the Chestnut Hill Community Association and was active in the Republican Party, serving as a committeewoman in the 9th Ward.

She was a talented artist, involved in silversmithing, quilting, knitting and needlepoint. She hand-painted tiles that were sold at the Happy Butterfly on Germantown Avenue and made pillow cases for young cancer patients.

She also had worked for many years at the Fort Washington Garden Mart.

Born in Chestnut Hill, she graduated from Springside School and attended junior college for one year.

Mrs. Lewis played many sports, including squash, tennis and golf, and was an avid sailor as a young woman, owning several small boats. In her later years she enjoyed playing Bridge.

She is survived by sons Win, Cliff and Ross; a daughter, Beth Thorp; six grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Mrs. Lewis’ husband, E. Mower Lewis III, preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martin’s Lane in Chestnut Hill. A reception for friends and family will follow at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, 415 W. Willow Grove Ave.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association. – WF

The post Mary E. P. Lewis, artist and volunteer appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

Allen Harberg, real estate developer

$
0
0

Allen Harberg, 81, of Chestnut Hill, a real estate developer who pioneered the use of tax-exempt industrial bonds by nonprofit institutions, died Dec. 1 of heart failure at Chestnut Hill Hospital.

Mr. Harberg operated his own real estate development consulting firm, Institutional Property Services in Center City, with clients that included Jefferson Medical College, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Abington Memorial Hospital, the YWCA and the Philadelphia College of Art. Prior to opening his own firm he was associated with Temple University for 11 years.

Mr. Harberg also volunteered his services to many nonprofit institutions in the Philadelphia area. He served on the boards of the Philadelphia Urban Finance Corp. and the Advocate Community Development Corp., and was a volunteer staff member of the Rev. Leon Sullivan’s Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) and the Zion Non-Profit Charitable Trust.

He also was involved in the development in 1968 of Progress Plaza, a $2 million complex on North Broad Street that was the first major shopping center in the United States owned and operated by African Americans, and the $1 million Zion Gardens, the first black-owned apartment complex in Philadelphia.

For these achievements, he was recognized in 1995 by the Pennsylvania Senate.

As a young man, he developed the Philadelphia Marine Center, the Gateway Care Center, and a joint venture by Delaware County Memorial Hospital and Presbyterian-University of Pennsylvania Hospital to build nursing homes in Wayne, Havertown and Paoli.

Mr. Harberg was a member of the board of trustees of Chestnut Hill Academy and a member of the Philadelphia Cricket Club.

He is survived by his wife, the former Hannah Nilon; a son, Allen Jr.; a daughter, Amanda; a sister; and two grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Dec. 6 at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia. Memorial donations may be sent to St. Joseph’s Villa, 110 W. Wissahickon Ave., Flourtown, PA 19031, or to Finanta, 1301 N. Second St., Philadelphia 19122, a nonprofit corporation that makes funds available for projects in underserved Philadelphia communities. – WF

The post Allen Harberg, real estate developer appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.


Elizabeth S. Cary, teacher

$
0
0

Elizabeth Summers “Betty” Carey, 92, of Germantown, who held a variety of positions at Germantown Friends School for more than six decades, died of congestive heart failure Nov. 12 at Wesley Enhanced Living at Stapely.

Mrs. Carey started working at GFS in 1945 as a third grade teacher. After her marriage in 1948 she continued on as a “permanent substitute” in the lower grades and as an office assistant, archivist, volunteer horticulturist and chaperone on field trips. After retiring in 2011, she continued to volunteer through the 2014 school year.

Born in Needham, Mass., she attended grade school in Needham and graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood, N.J., and Wellesley College.

Mrs. Cary joined the Religious Society of Friends as a young adult and met her future husband, Stephen Grellet Cary, at Germantown Friends Meeting. The couple lived in Philadelphia and spent summers in North Chatham, Mass., where Mrs. Cary ran the sailing school at the Chatham Yacht Club for many years and was commodore in 1984 and 1985.

In 1977, when Mr. Cary was named acting president of Haverford College, the couple moved to Haverford. Mr. Cary died in 2002, and Mrs. Cary returned to Germantown in 2011.

She is survived by daughters Anne. C. Sampson and Dorothy; a son Charles R. II; two sisters; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at Germantown Friends Meeting, 47 W. Coulter St., Philadelphia, PA 19144. Memorial donations may be made to the meeting at the above address. – WF

The post Elizabeth S. Cary, teacher appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

Pauline “Polly” Stitzinger

$
0
0

Pauline “Polly” (nee Liebert) Stitzinger, on December 16, 2015 of Rydal Park formerly of Wyndmoor. Wife of the late Arthur L. Stitzinger. Polly taught French at Cheltenham High School for 18 years. In retirement Polly took painting lessons and favored working in water colors and pastels. Pauline is survived by her brother Peter P. Liebert IV, her sister Mari Louise McCarthy, family, friends and special care giver Michelle Francis. Funeral and interment private. Memorials in her name may be made to the charity of your choice. (Jacob F. Ruth)

The post Pauline “Polly” Stitzinger appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

Thomas S. Farragher, Jr.

$
0
0

Thomas S. Farragher, Jr. on Dec. 31, 2015, age 81 yrs., born in Phila., of Blue Bell, PA, formerly of Dresher, PA and Chatham, NJ. Beloved husband of Anna Marie (nee Kelso) for 55 yrs. Father of Thomas S. III and Cathleen Grever (Erik). Also survived by 3 grandchildren Sean, Liam and Grace Grever and 1 sister Cecilia Farragher. Funeral Mass Fri., 11 AM, St. Anthony of Padua Church, 259 Forest Ave., Ambler, PA 19002. Relatives and friends are invited to the Visitation at the Church Fri. after 10 AM. In lieu of flowers Mass cards or donations to LaSalle College High School, 8605 Cheltenham Ave., Wyndmoor, PA 19038 or Villanova Univ. School of Business Bartley Hall, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA 19085 would be appreciated.

William R. May Funeral Home

The post Thomas S. Farragher, Jr. appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

Vivien McCarthy, paralegal and psychic

$
0
0
Vivien McCarthy

Vivien McCarthy

Vivien McCarthy, 69, a legal secretary and psychic entertainer, died Dec. 30 of ovarian cancer at her home in Mt. Airy.

Mrs. McCarthy, in addition to working as a legal secretary and paralegal, operated a psychic entertainment business, Psychics Extraordinaire, using the name Vivienne McCarthy. She was a psychic, fortune teller, palmist, numerologist and astrologist who, according to her husband, Kevin, “brought humor and compassion to her readings, leaving her querants feeling inspired and empowered.”

Starting in 1989, she also taught a course “Fortune Telling Made Easy” at the Mt. Airy Learning Tree.

Born Vivien Parnell in Norfolk, England, to Irish parents, she was raised in Dublin, Ireland, until the age of 12, when her family set off for Australia, with an extended stop on the way in Durban, South Africa, before settling in Wollongong, a small town 50 miles south of Sydney. She left Australia for a time and traveled the South Pacific by boat before returning to Sydney, where she met her future husband who was on leave from Army service in Vietnam.

The couple were married in Holy Cross Church in Mt. Airy and lived alternately in Australia and the United States before settling in Mt. Airy. While she liked being Irish and Australian, Mrs. McCarthy adopted the United States as her “spiritual home” and loved Mt. Airy for its diversity and sylvan beauty.

For ten years, she conducted fund-raisers for Green Street Rescue, an agency in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia that cares for homeless cats, and adopted many herself. She was known at “the flower lady of Leamy House” because of her efforts to bring beauty to her home and neighborhood.

She was an avid reader and a collector of art and artifacts from her travels.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, Patrick; a sister, Barbara; brothers Bill and Jeffrey, and one grandson. -WF

 

The post Vivien McCarthy, paralegal and psychic appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

Robert Edward Coughlin

$
0
0

OBITPIX_Coughlin

Robert Edward Coughlin, 88, a city and regional planning consultant, died Jan. 7 at his home in Chestnut Hill.

Dr. Coughlin and John C. Keene founded the firm of Coughlin, Keene & Associates in 1981 to provide consultation services in the field of planning and policy analysis. The firm’s projects included evaluation of land use regulations, farmland protection, urban sprawl and growth management, measurement of tourism, population and economic projections, and master plan development and evaluation,

Dr. Coughlin and Keene also were co-authors of “National Agricultural Lands Study: The Protection of Farmland – A Reference Guidebook for State and Local Governments.”

From 1955 to 1961 Dr. Coughlin had worked for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, where he played a primary role in preparing the city’s comprehensive plan and developed the analytic framework for relating the city’s capital program and budget to the comprehensive plan.

From 1962 to 1980 he served as vice-president of the Philadelphia office of the Regional Science Research Institute, where he directed research relating to regional and urban economic issues, impacts of urbanization on environment, open space preservation and farmland protection.

He was a former member of the board and chairman of the Committee on Philadelphia’s Capital Program of the Citizens Council on City Planning and also had served on the board of directors of the American Land Resource Association.

Active in the community, Mr. Coughlin served on the board of the Chestnut Hill Community Association from 1964 to 1966 and was vice chairman of the association’s Land Use Zoning and Planning Committee from 1974 to 1977/

He also was an active member of the Church of St. Martin-in-the Fields, where he was an avid change-ringer and led a drive to have a peal of bells hung in the church tower. He also served on the vestry and liturgical committee, and became a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter of the Diocese of Pennsylvania in 1974.

Born in Boston, he was a graduate of of the Roxbury Latin School. He received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, a master’s degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a doctorate in city and regional planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

He served in the Navy before and after college, attaining the rank of lieutenant.

He enjoyed contra dancing, sailing and change-ringing.

He is survived by his wife of 16 years, the former Louisa Spottswood; a son, Ely Coughlin, of Brattleboro, Vt.; daughters Nina Cook, of Appleton, Wis., and Bess Coughlin, of Dartmouth, Mass.; a brother, William Coughlin, of Brookline, Mass.; a sister, Patricia Gurevitch, of Washington, D.C.; and three grandchildren. Jane Keagy Coughlin, his first wife and the mother of his children, died in 1996.

A celebration of his life is planned for April at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields

Memorial donations may be made to the North American Guild of Change Ringers, The Westport (Mass.) Land Conservation Trust, or the Roxbury Latin School. – WF

The post Robert Edward Coughlin appeared first on Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA.

Viewing all 314 articles
Browse latest View live