April 14, 2025 – ChaddsFordLive.com

Helen “Dolly” Berndt of Chadds Ford

Helen G. Berndt, affectionately known as Dolly, 84, of Chadds Ford, died Tuesday, March 25. Wife of the late Robert Berndt, and daughter of the late Charles C. Goodfellow II and the late Florence Crane Goodfellow, Dolly grew up with her two brothers, Charles C. Goodfellow III (wife Mary Goodfellow) and the late Geoffrey Goodfellow (wife Chris Goodfellow), as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins in the town of Cranford, N.J., a close-knit community with many family ties.

Dolly attended Middlebury College in Vermont, where she met her first husband, the late Gordon “Chip” Thayer. They had two sons, Eric and Steve. Later, she married Robert Berndt, and she had her third son, Joe. Rob shared Dolly’s love for nature and gardening, and they made a good team, caring for one another, laughing together, and working side by side.

Dolly worked for many years as an elementary school teacher, combining her love for children with her love for learning and teaching. She especially enjoyed her work at the Centreville Layton School in Chadds Ford, PA, where she could apply her creative and hands-on approach and her unending patience to help students who “learn differently.”

Dolly loved life and loved the people in her life. Her warm smile and sparkling eyes, with just a hint of mischief, welcomed anyone who entered her home. She saw life as an adventure, whether she was taking a trip to Italy, enjoying a brisk walk along a nature trail, trying out a new recipe, or making cookies with her grandchildren. Her many passions included teaching, reading, gardening, and gourmet cooking. She valued moments of quiet, such as reading time, but also moments of social connection, hosting family events on a regular basis. If you spent time with her, you often got caught up in her passions, discussing decorating ideas, learning how to cook broccoli in just the right way, watching the bird feeder intently for the arrival of a hummingbird, listening to her make up stories about the wildlife you might see on a walking trip. She took in stray cats, and she would laughingly imagine what her cat might be saying in a little “cat” voice. Dolly looked out for the needs of her family and offered a sympathetic ear and whatever support necessary in times of difficulty.

Dolly is survived by her sons, Eric H. Thayer (wife, Sharon Thayer), Stephen A. Thayer (wife, Rebecca Thayer), and Joe C. Berndt (partner, Lindsay Nave); grandchildren, Sylvia Thayer DiCrescentis, Benjamin Thayer, Julia Thayer Magin, Rosemary Thayer, Sydney Thayer and Chip Thayer; and great-grandchildren, Isaiah Thayer, Corinne Thayer, Leonardo DiCrescentis, Eva DiCrescentis, and Carl Magin.

A celebration of Dolly’s life will be planned in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, you can make contributions to Centreville Layton School in Chadds Ford, Pa., website: centrevillelayton.org/giving/

Arrangements are by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. of Kennett Square. (484-734-8100) To view Dolly’s online obituary and leave condolences for the family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com

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Davis tract preserved

Local News, Local News Chadds Ford

DSC_0588 copy — The main house on the Davis Tract, where N.C. Wyeth once lived and worked, will become the headquarters for the North American Land Trust, according to NALT President Steve Carter.

It’s official. The Davis Tract, a 16-acre property that was once the home of N.C. Wyeth is now preserved and will become the headquarters for NALT, the North American Land Trust, which now owns the property, but Chadds Ford Township will hold the permanent conservation easement.

In addition to N.C. Wyeth, the property was later owned by Walter and Shirley Winther who owned the former Chadds Ford Gallery, and by Dean and Diane Camp after the Winthers.

In addition to its significance in art history, the 16-acre tract was also the site of the Continental Army’s defensive line during the Sept. 11, 1777, Battle of Brandywine. American Gen. Anthony Wayne’s Pennsylvania Division took up position on the Joseph Davis Tract and a four-gun battery overlooking Chadds Ford was set up to the left of the property.

“We are proud to honor both the natural and cultural legacy of this land and community,” said Carter. “This project represents the very heart of our mission – preserving the landscapes that shape our nation’s history and future,” said NALT President Steve Carter in a press release.

In a follow-up email, Carter added “We own this remarkable property — our second acquisition within the Brandywine Battlefield — we are excited to begin the transformation of its landscape and buildings into a safe, welcoming, and accessible resource for the community.”

NALT had to raise more than $3 million to acquire the land, and Carter thanked a number of entities that helped secure the funds, including Chadds Ford Township. The Route 1 property — just east of the Barn Shops — is the second acquisition NALT has made in the township. The other is Brinton Run Preserve along Oakland Road.

NALT is developing a pollinator habitat at Brinton Run and Carter has said they will do the same at the new property.

In a statement regarding the purchase, Supervisors’ Vice Chairman Kathleen Goodier said, “We are proud to celebrate the preservation of the historic Joseph Davis Tract property. As a former member of both the Open Space Committee and Planning Commission, and now as a township supervisor, it is incredibly rewarding to see this acquisition reflect the township’s long-standing preservation goals…We’re thrilled to welcome North American Land Trust as they relocate their headquarters to the Joseph Davis House, further strengthening our shared mission to protect the landscapes, history, and cultural heritage that define our community.”

The main house on the property, which is planned to be the new NALT headquarters building, was built in 1725. N.C. Wyeth lived and worked there from 1907-1911. He converted an old carriage into a studio and it. was there where he did the illustrations for “Treasure Island.”

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James Frederick “Fish” DiFilippo of Aston

Obituaries

James Frederick “Fish” DiFilippo, 80, of Aston, died at home on Saturday, April 12, after a long illness.

Fish was a devoted family man and fisherman, and not necessarily in that order. If he wasn’t fishing or tying flies, he was on the road or in the skies on his way to cast lines in beautiful streams in the Poconos, Alaska, out West, in Canada, and beyond. He often brought his family along, instilling in them a deep love of the outdoors. He was known as “World Famous Mr. Fish” and later, just “Fish,” the latter a nickname he preferred even in official capacities.

He married his wife of 56 years in 1968 after they met at a nightclub and fell fast for each other — she, no doubt, was smitten by his quick humor and dance moves. They had three children, who gave them eight grandchildren, all of whom they loved dearly. He and Judy spoiled them rotten, taking them on Disney trips, meddling in their affairs with the best of intentions, and even buying a house by the Delaware beaches to ensure they always had a fun family retreat.

In recent years, Fish and Judy spent a lot of time at that home in Millsboro, Del., where they became regulars at the region’s restaurants, explored every inlet of the Indian River and Rehoboth bays in their pontoon boat, and made many good friends. In keeping with their love of the outdoors, Fish and Judy adopted a stretch of road in Millsboro to keep clean, as the Long Neck Litter Pickers.

Fish also enjoyed hunting and driving old forest roads, especially with his son Jim Jr. He loved to take his friends on fishing and hunting trips too.

He was a certified public accountant for over a half-century in Toughkenamon, where he started his own firm in 1970 and eventually brought his wife, son, and daughter-in-law into the business. He also spent years helping his father and uncle run the family’s general store.

He graduated from Salesianum School in Wilmington and Temple University. He also served in the National Guard and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He was the eldest son of the late Eugene and Glenna DiFilippo. He is survived by his wife Judy; his children Paige Henry, Dana (and Saed) Hindash, and Jimmy (and Annie) DiFilippo; and his beloved grandchildren Dana, Maura, and Meghan Henry, Zaki and Amalie Hindash, and Maddie, Chloe, and Jimmy DiFilippo.

Visitation will be held Monday, April 21 from 6-8 p.m. at Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 W. State St., Kennett Square. Visitation will also be held Tuesday, April 22 from 10 a.m. until the time of his Funeral Mass at 11 at the Church of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother, 8910 Gap Newport Road in Avondale. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Kennett Square.

Memorial donations may be made to Trout Unlimited or the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation (MERR) Institute of Delaware.

Arrangements by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square.

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Adopt-a-Pet April 14

adopt-a-pet, Home and Leisure

The following animals are ready to be adopted from the Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester.

Ethel

Ethel is a gorgeous 10-year-old lady with the most beautiful blue eyes. While she loves to rub against your legs, we have found that she doesn’t enjoy being picked up. However, her previous owner reports that she is very sweet. We hope you’ll come meet this lovely Siamese mix very soon. You can name your adoption fee for Ethel through Sunday, April 20.

Fumble

Don’t drop the ball on this one. Come and meet Fumble today. This beautiful 1-year-old dog was abandoned and left tied up to a bench outside of the shelter. Can you even believe that? Fumble is ready for an adopter who will give her the care and love she deserves. Come on over for a meet and greet. You can name your adoption fee for Fumble through Sunday, April 20.

For more information, go to www.bvspca.org or phone 484-302-0865.

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