James Hurd Hughes
James Hurd Hughes passed away at the age of 72 on August 12. He died as a result of injuries sustained while playing in the surf two days earlier. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by family.
Jay was extremely well-educated, intellectually curious, and well-read. He was one of the kindest, most caring people and had a delightfully dry sense of humor. He was a wonderful husband, father, son, uncle, brother, counselor, and teacher, and a role model for many. He loved animals with a particular affinity for Irish setters.
Jay was a consummate outdoorsman and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and biking. He especially loved water sports like windsurfing and whitewater kayaking and shared his knowledge and enthusiasm generously with those around him. In addition to his passion for the outdoors, he was a championship croquet player, competing in tournaments throughout the United States. His approach to croquet was consistent with his approach to life. He was not just a player; he was an avid student and instructor of the game, dedicating many hours to practice as well as to the study and implementation of complex strategy both on and off the court.
He was a graduate of The Tatnall School, the Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and the University of Delaware, where he received his master’s degree in counseling.
Jay taught social studies and history and coached track and cross-country at The Tatnall School in Wilmington, Del. and more recently at the Layton School in Centreville, Del., where he was a counselor, teacher, and mentor to many. He retired in 2021.
He is survived by his wife, Gayle G. Hughes, his daughters, Lucie Hughes and Sarah Hughes, his father James H.U. Hughes, his sisters Beth Reisch and Marnie (Bill) Kelly, and numerous nieces and nephews and their children.
He was predeceased by his mother, Margaret T. Hughes.
A celebration of Jay’s life for family and friends will be held at the Greenville County Club at 201 Owls Nest Road in Wilmington, Del. on November 24 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these causes:
- Camp Wawbeek, the longest running Easter Seals camp in the nation. The property on which the camp is located was donated to Easter Seals by his grandmother and his great aunt. A check can be made payable to Easter Seals Wisconsin. Write “Jay Hughes-Wawbeek” on the memo line. Mail to Easter Seals Wisconsin, 8001 Excelsior Dr, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53717 or make a donation online at www.eastersealswisconsin.com.
- The Croquet Foundation of America at 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. The Croquet Foundation's mission is to develop and promote the amateur sport of croquet in America.
To view his online tribute and to leave a memory for his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.
Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.
Sandra Lynn Gonzalez
Sandra Lynn Gonzalez, 74, of North East, Md., passed away while surrounded by her loving family on August 17, 2024 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del.
Born in Havre de Grace, Md., she was the daughter of the late Fred H. Rother and Hazel Irene Eklund Rother Howery.
Sandra was employed with the Cecil County Government, retiring after 10 years of service.
She enjoyed crocheting and spending time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by two children, Angelica Mackey (James) of NH and Luciano Gonzalez, Jr. of Middletown, Del., two siblings, Fred Howery of GA and Nancy Settel of Wilmington, Del. and three grandchildren, Alex Mackey, Jake Mackey and Damian Gonzalez.
She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Robert Howery and sister, Wanda Rivera.
Funeral services were held on August 21 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.
Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc.
Phyllis Waltman
Phyllis Waltman passed away peacefully due to natural causes while at home in Jennersville on April 27, 2024. She was 75 years old.
Phyllis was born to Fred Roark and Esther Eldreth Roark in 1948. Raised in Kemblesville, she graduated from Avon Grove High School in 1966.
In May of 1968, she married Larry Waltman and together they raised their only child, Jennifer.
Phyllis worked for Townsend Jewelers and Ringler’s News Shop in Oxford. She ran her own concessions stand at Sunset Park, and then retired from Acme Markets after more than 25 years of service. With her friendly smile, keen business sense, and strong work ethic, she was beloved by customers, colleagues, and employers alike.
Outside of work, Phyllis loved to travel to area beaches or a rustic cabin just outside of Penn State University. Her love of animals was unrivaled and she never met an animal that she didn’t want to take home with her.
As a wife and mother, her kindhearted nature and sense of humor filled the Waltman home with love and laughs for 56 years. That warmth and joy undeniably touched the hearts of other people around her.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her father Fred, her mother Esther, and her brother Vance.
She is survived by her husband, Larry, their daughter, Jennifer, and her nieces, Brenda and Penny. Her ashes will be interred at the family cemetery.
Edgar Omar Martinez Alvarez
Edgar Omar Martinez Alvarez, age 43, of West Grove, passed away inWilmington, Del. on August 22, 2024.
Born in Mexico City, Mexico, he is the son of Juana Alvarez Gonzalez of Mexico, and the late Alfonzo Martinez Guiterrez.
Edgar was a landscaper and worked for Cedarcrest Landscaping in Oxford.
He was a member of St. Rocco’s Catholic Church.
Edgar enjoyed being with his family, especially his nephews.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by one sister, Liliana Vanesa Martinez Alvarez of Mexico, three brother, Armando Martinez Alvarez of Mexico, Victor Manuel Martinez Alvarez of Wilmington, Del. and Marco Antonio Martinez Alvarez of Lancaster, Pa.
He was predeceased by one brother, Luis Alfonso Martinez Alvarez.
You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 29 at St. Rocco Catholic Church, 313 Sunny Dell Road, Avondale. His Funeral Mass will follow at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be in Mexico.
To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit http://www.kuzoandfoulkfh,com.
Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.
Robert G. Della Pelle
Robert G. Della Pelle, age 71, of Kennett Square, passed away on August 22, 2024. He was 71.
He was the husband of Bernadette Delaney Della Pelle, with whom he shared 41 years of marriage.
Robert was an amazing husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend. He devoted his life to his family – they were his world. Robert’s passing will leave a void in all who knew him, but his memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends.
Robert was a 1971 graduate of Kennett High School and went on to study at the University of Delaware where he earned a bachelor’s degree, and then he earned a master’s degree from LaSalle University.
While at the University of Delaware he was an active member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, he played soccer and participated in the Army ROTC.
He was a marathon runner, a triathlete, andin earlier years he was a member of the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol. Throughout his life, Robert had coached many different sports teams which included being a coach for the KAU Little League, and thetrack and field and cross-country coach at St. Elizabeth’s High School in Wilmington, Del. for many years.
He was an accountant and owned and operated Tough Tax in Kennett Square.
Born in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of the late Robert G. Della Pelle and the late Angela Urbani Della Pelle.
Robert was a member of St. Patrick Church, the Kennett Square YMCA and he was a Coast Guard Auxiliarist.
He enjoyed the beach, riding his bike, sailing, running, swimming but above all else, his greatest joy was being a grandfather.
In addition to his wife, Robert is survived by one daughter, Katrina Murphy, and her husband Jeff of West Grove; two sons, Anthony Della Pelle of Kennett Square and Dominic Della Pelle and his wife Austen (Dominic is a Major in the U.S. Marine Corps and is currentlyin Japan); one brother, Nicholas Della Pelle of Unionville; one sister, Vivian Anton of Edenton, NC and four grandchildren, Jeffrey Murphy, Jr., Delaney Murphy, Remy Della Pelle and Felicity Murphy.
He was predeceased by one brother, Carmen Della Pelle.
You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 30, 2024 at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250l West State Street, Kennett Square. His funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 31 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 212 Meredith Street, Kennett Square. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Kennett YMCA at the YMCA of Greater Brandywine website at ymcagbw.org.
To view his online condolences and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.
Today, Top StoriesObituaries08-28-24
