Elizabeth “Betty” A. Dionisi, 91 of Claymont, died peacefully on Aug. 17, at home. Born to Eugene and Rose DiGuglielmo in Chadds Ford, she was a longtime resident of Claymont.
Betty graduated from Wilmington High School, Class of 1948, and earned her associate’s degree in business from Goldey Beacom College where she met her husband. Betty worked for the Brandywine School District as a secretary for 20 years. Devoted to her faith, she was a lifelong member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. She enjoyed taking care of her home, gardening, spending time in her backyard, but most of all she was devoted to her family and loved time spent with her grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Betty is preceded in death by her loving husband, Lewis J. Dionisi who died in 2012, son in law, Anthony DiMarino who died in 2007, and seven siblings.
She is survived by six children; Rosemary (Dennis) Donovan, Marianne (Kenneth) Trump, Kathleen DiMarino, Christine Dionisi, Louis Dionisi, and Amy (Jay Roberts) Dionisi; five grandchildren; Michelle, Philip (Carling), and Dominic DiMarino, and Sarah and James DelCollo.
A visitation will be held Monday, Aug. 23, from 10-10:45 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3200 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE, 19703, followed by a funeral mass at 11 a.m. Interment will be private.
Donations in her memory may be made to Holy Rosary Church. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com.
A reenactment of the Battle of Brandywine is scheduled for Sept. 11.
•The Battle of Brandywine is back. The Chadds Ford Historical Society will present a battle re-enactment on Saturday, Sept. 11, the 244th anniversary of the largest land battle in the American War of Independence. Three timed skirmishes will take place throughout the day. Additionally, reenactors, camp followers, demonstrators, and other historians will be on-site for educational conversation. Live music, food, and beverages will be available. Admission for the day-long colonial-centric event is $10 for adults 18 and older; $5 for children ages 7 to 17. Admission is free for CFHS members and children six and younger.
Portrait of Mrs. N. C. Wyeth by Henriette Wyeth (detail, 1929)An online lecture on works by women artists is at the BRM on Aug. 26.
•In honor of Women’s Equality Day and the 101st anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, Brandywine River Museum curator Amanda Burdan, will host an online lecture highlighting works by women artists currently on view in Brandywine’s newly rehung galleries. The lecture is 5 p.m. on Aug. 26. Featured artists include Grandma Moses, Clementine Hunter, Mary Page Evans, Henriette Wyeth, Doris Lee, and more. This free program will be held online using Zoom. The Zoom link to access this program will be automatically sent to the email address used during registration. Register here.
(Cap: Portrait of Mrs. N. C. Wyeth by Henriette Wyeth (detail, 1929)
•Longwood Gardens is again offering a behind-the-scenes look at one of its more popular exhibits, Behind the Scenes Tour: Under the Fountains. Experience the main fountain garden from the inside out and explore the inner workings of the largest fountain garden in the US. Please note: This tour requires the ability to climb several flights of stairs and is not accessible by wheelchairs or other mobility devices. Children must be at least 11 years of age to participate. Children ages 11 to 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The next tours are this Saturday, Aug. 21, and Sunday, Aug. 22 The cost is $18 for members, $20 for non-members. For times and tickets, go here.
It’s a sing-off at The Mann Center on Aug. 28.
•It’s billed as An Evening of Vocal Fireworks. Next Thursday, Aug. 28, tenors Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres face off in a friendly sing-off on Thursday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. The concert marks the North American performance premiere of the tenors’ acclaimed 2020 album Amici e Rivali and marks Opera Philadelphia’s return to live full audience performances in 18 months. Ticket prices range from $25 to $100. For tickets, go here.
•After a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic, United Way of Chester County will again host its annual Live United in Music event on Thursday, Sept. 30 at Penn Oaks Golf Club, featuring The Music of Whitney Houston performed by Jade Milian and Samuel E. This event, presented by Citadel, will benefit the United Way of Chester County Community Impact & Innovation Fund. Tickets are $175 per person and include a cocktail reception with an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and performance ($150 of the cost is tax-deductible). Limited corporate sponsorships are still available. To purchase tickets and learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.LiveUnitedinMusic.com or call 610-429-9400.
