John Brackett Hodgkin Jr., master gardener
John Brackett Hodgkin Jr. passed away peacefully Monday, Aug. 17, 2009, at first light in his Dagsboro home. He was born July 9, 1920, in Boston, Mass., to John B. Hodgkin and Mary Stonebreaker Hodgkin.
John grew up in Freeport, Long Island, N.Y., where he played high school varsity football and baseball. John’s first year of college was at Penn State University. He later transferred to State University of New York, Farmington and majored in horticulture and animal husbandry. While at SUNY he was captain of the varsity football team and also played baseball.
During World War II, he was a first lieutenant in the European theater where was awarded the Purple Heart.
He married his beloved wife, Margaret, Sept 5, 1943. She predeceased him June 8, 1998, after 55 years of marriage.
After the war, John became a salesman, but his love of flowers and plants led him to management of the garden department at Montgomery Ward in Falls Church, Va., and later as a district manager of Gaudio’s Garden stores in suburban Philadelphia, Pa.
Upon retirement, he moved to his scenic river home in Dagsboro, where he became a master gardener and president of the Millsboro Lions Club. He was awarded Lion of the Year for 1996-97 and 1999-2000.
He is survived by his son, John B. Hodgkin III and his wife Claire C. Hodgkin of Crofton, Md.; his daughter, Patricia H. Poulter of Belchertown, Mass.; and his three grandsons, Thaddeus K. Poulter, John B. Hodgkin IV and Richard W. Hodgkin. He will be missed by all his friends, especially his dear friend and companion for the last four years, Edna O’Neill, whom he met at Brandywine Assisted Living. She was at his side for the final moments.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 22, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, State and Ellis streets in Millsboro.
Interment will be held at 9:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 2, at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C., with full military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 422, Millsboro, DE 19966; or Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Arrangements made by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.

Fleda Campbell, beach lover
Fleda Campbell, 81, of Frankford, passed away Monday, Aug. 17, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. She was the daughter of the late Edwin and Nellie Cropper of Bishopville, Md. She was a life member of the Frankford Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. She worked for Pep-Up in Georgetown for many years. She loved spending time with her family and especially loved the beach and the sun.
She was preceded in death by her husband Leon Campbell, brother Benny Cropper, great-granddaughter Hayley Hickman and son-in-law Bruce Brittingham. She is survived by three daughters, Debbie Brittingham of Millsboro, Diane Bunting and husband Jim of Dagsboro, and Tami Mitchell and husband Chad of Frankford; her grandchildren, Jimmy Bunting and fiancée Candy Carter and her children Lauren and Grant of Georgetown, Chad Bunting of Florida, Jennifer Outten and husband Bryan of Millsboro, Janelle Hickman and husband Keith of Laurel, Michele Chandler and husband Scott of Dagsboro, and Matthew Mitchell of Frankford; great-grandchildren Tyler, Taylor and Chase Bunting, Schyler and McKenzie Outten, Kailee, Kaden and Kylee Hickman and Baby Chandler due in February; and brother Sykes Cropper of Bishopville, Md.
A funeral service will be held at noon, Monday, Aug. 24, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call one hour prior.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Frankford Ladies Auxiliary c/o Nancy Hoper, 12708 Old Stage Road, Bishopville, MD 21813; or Frankford United Methodist Church, PO Box 37, Frankford, DE 19945.
Arrangements by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.

Angelo J. Perregrino, retired carpenter
Angelo John Perregrino, 86, born Aug. 23, 1922, died Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009.
Angelo was a U.S. Army veteran and served in World War II. He retired in 1977 from New Castle County as a carpenter. Angelo was a member of both the Millsboro and Cape Henlopen Veterans of Foreign Wars posts. He was also a member of the Woodcarvers of Rehoboth Beach.
Angelo was the son of the late Angelo and Mary Tretta Perregrino. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mary DiMatteo, who passed away in 2007; and his brother, Joseph.
He is survived by his brother, Anthony Perregrino; daughter, Gladys Ann Collins; and son, Angelo Perregrino and his wife Ellen; his grandchildren, Theresa O’Connor and her husband Paul and their sons Matthew and Justin, Thomas Perregrino and his wife Sayward and their sons Shane and Joshua, and Lisa Lutes and her husband Brian.
Angelo’s family wishes to thank the staff members of Broadmeadow Healthcare in Middletown and Heartland Hospice House in Wilmington for their excellent care.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, Aug. 19, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Wilmington, with interment in Cathedral Cemetery, Wilmington.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers to make a donation to the Heartland Hospice House, 256 Chapman Road, The Oxford Building, Suite 102, Newark, DE 19702.

Jean Moore, active choir member
Jean Moore, 81, of Seaford, died Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, at the Seaford Center due to complications associated with pneumonia.
She was a daughter of the late Vaughn and Charlotte Emerick Wolford, born June 10, 1928, in Stringtown, Pa. She married Elmer T. Moore May 10, 1947. Known as Jean to all those who loved her, she moved from Stringtown to Delaware in 1950. She worked for Walkers Garment Factory in Blades and Gant Shirts in Seaford.
She supported Bayshore Community Church where she was active in the choir and Sunday school. He most cherished loves were her church, her family and her home.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Elmer T. Moore; and brother, John Wolford of Cumberland, Md.; three children, Richard Moore and wife Vicki of Seaford, Barbara Ellingsworth and husband Vernon of Millsboro, and Karen Tice and husband Danny of Millsboro; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Jean was adored by her family as a great mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
A funeral service was held at Christ Evangelistic Church, Laurel. Interment followed in Blades Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to Easter Seals, 22317 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown, DE 19947.

Mary D. Massey, retired nurse
Mary D. Massey, 93, passed away Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, at Franciscan Care Center.
Mary was born in 1916 to the late Denis and Kathleen Desmond.
She was raised in Wilmington and graduated from Ursuline Academy. She also graduated from Saint Francis School of Nursing in 1937, where she became a registered nurse. She worked at Saint Francis Hospital until she married her husband, Lee R. Massey, and raised a family.
When her children were older, Mary worked as a private duty nurse for 30 years until she retired in 2001.
In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by her husband, Lee R.; her son Tom; sisters Margaret McCafferty, Catherine Desmond and Betty Walczak; and brother Francis. Mary is survived by her children, John F. Massey and wife Kathy of Wilmington, Patricia Schumaker and husband Tom of Berlin, Md., Mary Ellen Anderson and husband Joe of New Castle, and Joan Kern and husband Bob of Rising Sun, Md.; and sister Agnes McLane and husband Brice of Rehoboth Beach. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Peter the Apostle Church, New Castle. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mrs. Massey to St. Peter the Apostle Church, 521 Harmony St., New Castle, DE 19720.

Elmer Mondell Jr., Army veteran
Elmer Charles “Butch” Mondell Jr., 62, of Millsboro, died suddenly Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes.
Butch was the son of Elmer Charles Mondell Sr. and the late Evelyn Frenchak Mondell of Coraopolis, Pa.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Germany. He was also a member of American Legion Post 28.
Butch was preceded in death by his mother, the late Evelyn Mondell; and his wife, Mauricelene D. “Penny” Mondell.
Butch is survived by his two daughters, Lisa Mooneyham of Kodiak, Alaska, and Lynette Paxton of Lexington, S.C.; one granddaughter, Amelia; his father; three brothers, the Rev. Richard Mondell of Goldsboro, N.C., Robert Mondell of Milford, and Ronald Mondell of Glenpoole, Okla.; one sister, Maryann Mondell of Pittsburgh, Pa.; a number of nieces and nephews as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, many beloved friends and his special friend and companion Carolyn Hughes, who loved and cared for him faithfully until the end.
A funeral service was held at Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro. The Rev. Richard Mondell officiated.
Burial was in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions the Elmer Charles “Butch” Mondell Fund, c/o Robert Mondell, 719 New St., Milford, DE 19963.

Zelma N. Kennedy, retired secretary
Zelma N. Kennedy, 78, of Lewes, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, at Cadbury At Lewes.
She was born May 10, 1931, in Elkton, Md., daughter of the late Morris Leroy Nelson and Irene (Harmon) Warren.
Mrs. Kennedy graduated from Wilmington High School in 1948. She was employed as a secretary by the DuPont Company corportate headquarters, retiring in 1983. She enjoyed worldwide travel and was an avid bridge player.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John J. Kennedy in 1991; and her daughter, Patricia Whittington in 2008.
She is survived by two sons, Stephen P. Kennedy of Wilmington and J. Michael Kennedy of Lewes; three grandchildren, Bryan Whittington, Kelly Whittington, and Stephen Kennedy; and one great-grandchild, Arianna Kennedy.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 24, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. Friends may call at the funeral home beginning at 9 a.m. Interment will be at All Saints’ Cemetery near Angola.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 801 Roeder Road, Ste. 400, Silver Spring, MD 20910.