February 15, 2016

Mary Leo Hopkins, 87, of Avondale, died peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 13, at Ware Presbyterian Home in Oxford, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of Robert J. Hopkins Sr., with whom she shared 66 years of marriage.

Born in West Chester, she was a daughter of the late Angeline (Ingelido) and Peter V. Leo. She was pre-deceased by her son Robert J. Hopkins Jr., her sister Rosemarie Leo and her brother Peter V. Leo, Jr. Along with her husband, she leaves behind 3 children, Christine Hopkins Rizzotte, Michael Hopkins and his wife Donna, and Gary Hopkins and his wife Elizabeth.

She was a member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Avondale and also received blessings while attending Mass and Rosary service while she lived at Ware.

A graduate of Kennett High School and Goldey-Beacom, she first worked as a secretary at DuPont Chemical Co.. She then followed in her parents’ footsteps by entering the mushroom industry, working for many years as bookkeeper for Frezzo Brothers and later at Greenhill Farms.

In her younger years she enjoyed rollerskating, tennis and growing up with her many cousins in Toughkenamon, where she met her husband. She was a dedicated wife and mother who enjoyed playing cards, crossword puzzles, casino trips to Atlantic City, Saturday shopping with friends and always loved having a house full of company. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed decorating the house and celebrating the holidays with family and friends.

She loved and was loved by her eight grandchildren, Diane Rizzotte Bucklaw, Nicholas Rizzotte, Kyle Hopkins, Kellianne Eckman and her husband Phil, Michael Hopkins Jr. and his wife Kari, Jackie Hopkins, Gary Hopkins Jr., Bryan Hopkins, and four great grandchildren, Jeffrey Bird, Jr., Angela Bird, Jason Bucklaw and Zachary Eckman.

You are invited to visit with Mary’s family and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, and again from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 19, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street in Kennett Square. Her Memorial service will follow at 10:30. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Route 82 in Kennett Square.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Willow Tree Hospice, 616 East Cypress Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348

To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecocares.com

James Arthur Davies, 85, of West Grove, died Saturday, Feb. 13, surrounded by his family, at Neighborhood Hospice. He was the husband of Carol Fry Davies, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage.

Born on Sept. 13, 1930 in Honesdale, he was the son of the late William J. and Mary Elizabeth Edwards Davies.

Jim was raised in Williamsport, where he learned his love for the outdoors and the simple beauty of nature. Hiking, fishing, and playing sports with his friends filled his youth. He graduated from South Williamsport High, where he played basketball.

He served his country in the US Navy Air Group, and was a proud veteran of the Korean War. Later in life he enjoyed his squadron reunions with this group.

After the Korean War, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Carol Fry Davies and went on to graduate from his beloved Alma Mater, Penn State University with a business degree, and was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. He went to work with RCA shortly after graduating. Jim retired as the vice president of GE RCA Patent Licensing after a long and impressive career that took him all over the world. He was elected to Who’s Who in America in 1976 through his retirement.

Jim believed in serving his community and contributed in many ways. He was elected fire commissioner for Pocantico Hills Fire District, N.Y. in the 1970’s and later appointed to the Board of Directors of the Midway Fire and Rescue of Pawley’s Island, S.C. He also served as president of the Litchfield Plantation Home Owners Association in Pawley’s Island, SC. as well as the Waccamaw Council of Property Owners Associations in South Carolina.

He was a member of the Litchfield Country Club and was an avid golfer and tennis player for many years. He also was an amateur radio operator, making wireless contacts with more than 150 different countries. He received the honor of election to the DX Century Club from the American Radio Relay League, Inc.

As a lifetime member of the Lutheran Church, Jim served on numerous Church councils over the years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Stephen Davies and his wife Elizabeth of Sandy Hook, Conn.; one daughter, Christina D. Sappey and her husband Jonathan of West Chester, and five grandchildren, Julia, Truman and Henry Sappey and Jennifer and James Davies.

He was predeceased by one brother, William Ronald Davies.

You are invited to visit with Jim’s family and friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, , at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 109 E. Doe Run Road (& Route 82) in Unionville. His Memorial service will follow at 11. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 178, Unionville, PA 19375 or to Penn State University, 27 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802-1500 (giveto.psu.edu)

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com

Arrangements by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home in Kennett Square.