Alice M. Ohlfs Mantell, 83, of Kennett Square, died Monday, Jan. 12, at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester. She was the wife of Robert T. Mantell with whom she shared 58 years of marriage.
Born in Marinette, Wis., she was a daughter of the late James and the late Margaret (Stoneburner) Ohlfs.
In her early years, Alice was a Cub Scout den mother for her boy’s troop.
She was a longtime member of the Kennett Square Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school and participated in bible studies. She was a member of the Kennett Senior Center and loved bowling, golf, and crossword puzzles.
In addition to her husband, she will be missed by her two sons, Robert T. Mantell Jr. and his wife Kathleen of New London, and James F. Mantell of Morton; one brother, Frederick Ohlfs and his wife Connie of Wisconsin; four grandchildren, Robert III, James, Aimee and Kelli and 1 great grand-daughter, Elise Marie.
She was predeceased by a son John R. in 1987, two brothers, Henry and James and a sister Dorothy.
You are invited to visit with Alice’s friends and family from 10-11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 16, at Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square, 211 S. Broad Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Her funeral service will follow at 11. Interment will be in Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Kennett Area Senior Center 427 S. Walnut St. Kennett Square, PA 19348.
Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (610-444-4116) of Kennett Square. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecocares.com
The citizens of Chester County have a myriad of opportunities as we begin 2015 and close out a successful 2014.
Terence Farrell was elected chair of the Chester County Commissioners earlier this month.
As the newly elected chair of the Chester County Commissioners, I’m looking forward to making sure we meet the goals we’ve set in our strategic plan that will enhance our already excellent quality of life in the county. We are also implementing recommendations in the county’s VISTA 2025 initiative that will ensure the economic vitality of our county for the next decade.
One of the positive public/private initiatives of last year was a nine-day trip to China where Chester County business and government leaders, including myself, forged a partnership that will help our businesses prosper in China. The American Regional Business Development & Cultural Exchange Summit was centered in the Yongchuan District (Chongqing Province), the county’s sister community in China.
This trip produced three immediate positive outcomes for the county. Chinese investors are considering investing in county projects; our educational community, through The Lincoln University, has expanded the number of exchange programs with China; and members of our mushroom industry have a great opportunity to act as consultants to help improve the growing of fresh mushrooms in China, especially the emerging markets in Yongchuan and BaNan.
This growing partnership can provide a competitive edge for our companies here in Chester County and in China. Communications Test Design, Inc., located in Chester County, took part in our exchange by hosting us at their facility in Beijing. The partnership will continue as Chinese business leaders are scheduled to visit Chester County this year, and we will make a return visit in 2016.
In November, the commissioners formally adopted a resolution supporting VISTA 2025 and endorsing the county’s official economic development strategy. Chester County has long been recognized as one of the most vibrant places in the nation to locate and run a business. The quality of life is top-notch here, and we have educated and trained workers to fill the demanding jobs of today’s work world. The Chester County Economic Development Council and the county will be partners in this effort.
In December, the Chester County Health Department presented its first Community Health Improvement Plan prepared in partnership with Drexel University and the Chester County United Way. Over the last three years, the county and over 60 community partners worked together to identify core areas for improvement, including: cultural competence, health disparities, coordinated behavioral and physical health, individual health management and disease prevention. These areas impact all residents of the county—from newborns to our senior citizens. The priorities and goals outlined in the CHIP will now become a part of the county’s overall Strategic Plan.
Quality-of-life issues will be high on the commissioners’ list in 2015 with a focus on protecting our citizens’ health and safety. Progress and investment carry on as we update the county’s emergency services radio communication system. The second phase of our Public Safety Training Campus – the tactical village – will be completed this year, and ground will be broken on the campus’ firing range, ultimately giving our dedicated 5,000-plus fire, emergency medical, and police personnel a first-class training facility in the county.
Protection of open space also remains a priority, with further development planned for our parks and trails system so our citizens and visitors can enjoy our scenic wonders. Chester County is increasingly attracting visitors to our many trails, parks, sporting events, museums and festivals, and this is enhancing our strong tourism industry. The Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau is finalizing its strategic plan to attract visitors and add jobs to this industry.
While 2015 offers Chester County opportunities, we do face challenges, especially fiscal ones. Last year we were able to meet all of our fiscal responsibilities without a tax hike. This year we will have to remain wise in spending the hard-earned tax dollars of our constituents as already we are receiving indications that the state budget includes deficit projections and a possible reduction in assistance to the county.
We all will need to work together to overcome the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities so that Chester County will continue to be a wonderful place to live, work, raise a family, and retire.
Terence Farrell, Chester County Commissioners’ Chair
Wanda Edmondson Marine, 86, a longtime resident of the Wilmington-Newark area, died in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Dec. 13. She was the wife of the late Romeo R. Marine who died in 1978.
She was born in Mount Hope, WVa., but spent her early years in Ashe County, N.C. before moving north to Kennett Square. Wanda spent her entire working career with the DuPont Co. and, after retiring, volunteered for a number of years with The Kalmar Nychel Foundation. She thoroughly enjoyed her volunteer work and often reminisced about it.
She is survived by two sons, David J. Marine and his wife Mary Jo of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Mark C. Marine and his wife Noom of Abilene, Texas; one sister Bernice Little of Landenberg; two granddaughters, Melanie Marine West of Bethesda, Md. and Kara Marine of Castle Rock, Colo.; a grandson Shawn Starcevic of Chillicothe, Ohio and his daughter Caralina; numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins, and her best friend, Helen Ferris, of Wilmington.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State in Kennett Square. Inurnment will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
On Friday, Jan. 16, an accomplished, lifelong pianist will present an autobiographical recital at the Kennett Friends Meeting.
Pianist Rollin Wilbur will present an autobiographical recital on Friday, Jan. !6, in Kennett Square.
The free program, made possible by the Hadley Memorial Fund, will feature Rollin Wilber, a Philadelphia-based musician who shares the influences of strong musical presences in his life. Raised in the New York area within an extended family of professional classical musicians dating from the late 19th century, Wilber lived in a musical performing environment since birth.
He began piano studies at age 8 with his grandmother (a rare female concert violinist in 1901). Because he showed natural musical ability and a strong desire to play the piano, he was fully encouraged by his family to pursue music. He started performing publicly at the age of 16, and became serious about his development in his college years.
Wilber dedicated much of his 20s and 30s to performing and studying. From this, he began to think deeply about the sharing of music with his audiences, students, and other listeners, building a lifelong belief in the power of fine music, its effect on people, and their need for it. This has continually grown as he works on the enhancement of his musical communication abilities.
According to his website, Wilber has performed for 40 years, including concerto solos with local orchestras. “I believe that sharing music from the performer’s point of view is an extraordinary pathway to reach people, young and old, with the meaning and power of music,” he says. “For many, I find that sharing my personal approach to music has been conducive to closer listening.”
Friday night’s presentation, which begins at 8 p.m., is entitled “A Legacy of Musical Wealth with Rollin Wilber, Pianist.” Kennett Friends Meeting is located at 125 W. Sickle St., Kennett Square, Pa., 19348. To obtain free tickets, visit http://hadley-memorial-fund.ticketleap.com/a-legacy-of-musical-wealth/.
The Hadley Memorial Fund was established by Charles C. Hadley in his 1916 will, and then augmented by his sister, Irene Hadley Baird, to honor their parents, Theodore D. and Elizabeth A. Hadley. In addition to providing free admission, the programs aim to further the civic betterment, social welfare and education of the people of Kennett Square and the surrounding area.
