November 12, 2025 – ChaddsFordLive.com

Elizabeth Marie Larsen of Kennett Square

Elizabeth Marie “Betty” Larsen, 88, known for her warmth, humor, and love of books, passed away peacefully at her home in Kennett Square on Nov. 6. She was the beloved wife of the late D. Franklin Larsen, with whom she shared 61 years of marriage.

Born in Suffern, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Walter Osborne and the late Margaret (Wilson) Osborne. Betty was born in 1937 and was the youngest of eight children. She grew up in Sloatsburg, New York, and graduated from Suffern High School in 1955.

Throughout her life, Betty was an avid reader, devouring scores of books every year for decades. Bookstores were among her favorite places. She also enjoyed her daily walks for many years and had a deep appreciation for the natural world, especially horses and moonlit nights.

She will be remembered for her gracious manner, kind demeanor, and quick wit. Her love of family and the time she cherished with her children and grandchildren were the touchstones of her life.

Betty is survived by her sons, David Larsen (and his wife, Sandra) and Jim Larsen (and his fiancée, Erin May); her grandchildren, Kristin Larsen, Ryan Larsen, David Larsen, Troy Larsen, and Sage Larsen; and one great-grandchild, Wen Ru Larsen. In addition to her husband, Frank, she was predeceased by her seven siblings.

Services and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org).

Arrangements are by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Kennett Square (484-734-8100). To view Betty’s online tribute or share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Her family takes comfort in knowing that her spirit and kindness will live on in the lives she touched.

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Election board sets timeline for investigation

Along the Ford

The Chester County Board of Elections has set two dates for an investigation into the election day error that left third-party and independent voters off the voter rolls. Those dates are Monday, Nov. 17, and Friday, Nov. 21.

The problem arose on the Nov. 4 election day when the voter roll books arrived at the polling places with only the names of people registered Democrat or Republican. Independent and third-party voters had to fill out provisional ballots. Updated roll books were sent out that afternoon, and the polls stayed open until 10 p.m.

On Monday, Nov. 17, county administration leadership will announce the independent party selected to conduct the investigation, along with established deadlines and deliverables; and on Friday, Nov. 21, there will be an update on the investigation during the Chester County Board of Elections meeting at 10 a.m.

According to county CEO David Byerman, “We identified the key questions that must be addressed through the investigation and presented the Board of Elections with several options for how the review can best proceed.”

Byerman added that staff have been instructed to maintain all material relevant to the investigation and that there has been a preliminary meeting with the Pennsylvania Department of State to understand its capacity to assist in the review. He also said that law firms and other experts have been identified to conduct the investigation.

He anticipates the investigation will be finished in early or mid-December, with the final report and recommendations being presented at the Board of Elections meeting in December or January.

Early on election day, election officials found that roughly 75,000 registered voters, including Libertarian, Independent, and other non-affiliated voters, were affected.

More than 12,100 provisional ballots were cast in Chester County on Election Day, the majority resulting from the poll book error. As of the end of the day on Sunday, Nov. 9, more than 4,300 of the estimated 12,100 provisional ballots were legally reviewed.

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Police Log Nov. 12: Hit and run, theft, crashes

Police, Police Log

Local and state police report the following incidents.

Pennsylvania State Police

Media Barracks

• Police are investigating a hit-and-run accident in Concord Township on Nov. 5. The accident happened on. Baltimore Pike at its intersection with State Farm Drive. Police said the offending driver made an unsafe lane change and struck the second car.

• It was reported that more than $37,000 worth of jewelry was missing from a home on S. Valentine Drive in Concord Township on Oct. 3. The victim is a 90-year-old woman who said she couldn’t find the jewelry.

• Police said Marissa P. Tancredi, 33, of Ambler, was cited for her involvement in a two-car crash that led to her and the two occupants in the other car being transported to area hospitals for treatment of injuries. The accident happened at the intersection of Route 1 and Creek Road on Sept. 27 shortly before 7 p.m. According to the report, the second car was waiting at the northbound intersection to make a left onto N. Creek Road. The light was green, but the southbound traffic flow prevented the turn while the car was in the middle of the intersection. The light turned red, but the car began turning while the light was red in all four directions. Police said it was then that Tancredi entered the intersection against a full red signal, striking the other car in the side.

• No names were given, but one driver was cited for DUI following a two-car crash on Oct. 31 on Route 202 in Concord Township. Police said the second car was stopped at a red light when it was struck from behind by the first car.

Avondale Barracks

• Police said Thomas E. Ruiz-Rhoades, 23, of Toughkeman, was cited for driving at an unsafe speed following a one-car crash on Doe Run Road in West Marlborough Township. The accident happened on Oct. 28 at 5:21 a.m. According to the report, Ruiz-Rhoades lost control of his car after cresting a hill. The car spun out of control and hit a speed limit traffic sign.

• Michele L. Christiano, 47, of Wilmington, was cited following a two-car crash on Parkerville Road near E. State Street in Pennsbury Township on Oct. 21, police said. According to the police report, Christiano was driving north on Parkerville when she failed to clear the intersection and was struck by an oncoming car.

• A bus driver, Jenny M. Taylor, 63, of Avondale, was cited after a two-vehicle crash at W. Street Road at its intersection with Byrd Road on Oct. 14 at 8:04 a.m., police said. According to the report, Taylor was driving north on Byrd when she tried to turn right onto W. Street Road and wound up colliding with the second vehicle. No injuries were reported.

Kennett Square Police Department

Borough police said they arrested Alicea Matias on multiple assault charges, resisting arrest, and more shortly after 1 a.m. on Nov. 2. According to the report, police were dispatched for a hit-and-run accident on E. South Street. While attempting to approach the vehicle’s operator, the male driver became combative towards the officers, and a female subject, identified as Matias, became involved in the ongoing investigation by approaching officers erratically and causing further disturbance. Charges were also filed against Joel Sanchez-Dominguez during the same incident. Charges against him include assault, resisting arrest, and seven other offenses. All charges were filed in district court, and the incident is pending a preliminary hearing.

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