The Chestnut Hill Local

Obituaries

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Sharon Church McNabb's work is included in the permanent collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, and others around the world.

Longtime Chestnut Hill resident Sharon Church McNabb, an acclaimed metalsmith and studio jeweler, died on Christmas Day. more

by Len Lear | 2/2/23

Chestnut Hill matriarch Jean Hemphill dies at 97

Jean Cálves Hemphill, who raised eight children in Chestnut Hill as the wife of the late city controller Alexander Hemphill, died Jan. 23 outside Oxford, MD. more

1/27/23

Peter DePaul, seen here with his wife, Nevis, created The DePaul Group, one of the Philadelphia area's most successful real estate development firms with more than 1,200 employees and headquartered in Flourtown.

Local real estate tycoon, father of 11, dies at 95

Peter DePaul, Sr., was a true rags-to-riches story. more

by Len Lear | 1/27/23

Donald Rackin with his daughter, Rebecca, a Mt. Airy artist who created this pig, Daisy, seen in front of Bredenbeck’s Bakery in September 2006.

Beloved local professor, scholar and editor dies at 89

Donald Rackin, 89, a professor of Victorian literature who taught at Temple University for 33 years, died at home on Nov. 23, the day before Thanksgiving. more

by Len Lear | 1/5/23

The Rev. Dr. Richard N. Stewart was working on a project documenting the contributions of Africans and African Americans to the Lutheran Church.

Dr. Richard Stewart, Mt. Airy seminary's spiritual giant

Associate Professor Emeritus Richard N. Stewart died in his Mt. Airy home of 33 years on Nov. 13 after a long illness. He was 78. more

by Len Lear | 12/8/22

Joilet Harris-Lawton performing in “Retro Love” in June 2016 at the Drake Theater in Center City.

'Germantown girl,' a show biz superstar, dies at 64

In the Philadelphia theater community, lifelong Germantown resident Joilet Harris-Lawton was regarded as a superstar. more

by Len Lear | 12/1/22

Rujean Mitinger was not one to sit by and watch. She took an active role in the community.

Popular preschool director and hospital receptionist dies at 87

Rujean Inglis Mitinger, 87, of Chestnut Hill, former director of The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill Preschool, died on Nov. 6. more

by Cathy Brzozowski | 11/24/22

The late Rich Krassen holds up his memoir, “Breadcrumbs on My Journey,” written in his late 70s before he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

'Incredibly persistent' author of Philly nostalgia dies

“Len, please write an obituary about me. I trust you to say the right things. I just want my book to be legendary!” more

by Len Lear | 11/17/22

Dr. Nathan and Carole Sivin, who lived across the street from Pastorius Park for more than 40 years, were brilliant intellectuals who were also gracious and lived simply without a car or even a bicycle.

Hill scholar led a big life in a quiet way

It is difficult for most of us to appreciate the towering intellect of someone like Dr. Nathan Sivin, who lived in Chestnut Hill for more than 40 years. He died June 24. more

by Len Lear | 11/3/22

Bill Markloff with Josie, his beloved Labrador Retriever, on Forbidden Drive near Valley Green Inn.

Former fixture in Hill retail dies suddenly in his home

Mt. Airy native William “Bill” Markloff was a kind, gentle soul who hired and mentored countless young students at the Top of the Hill Market and Cafe on East Evergreen Ave. more

by Len Lear | 10/27/22

Elizabeth Holmes Webb, accomplished horticulturalist, dies at 96

Elizabeth Holmes Webb, a longtime resident of Chestnut Hill and Huntingdon Valley, died peacefully at her home on Sept. 28. She was 96. more

10/6/22

Martha Madigan's work has been exhibited internationally and is in the collections of major museums including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and in private collections and institutions worldwide.

Mt. Airy teacher and photographer saw beauty everywhere

“I have received so many letters since Martha died about how she affected people's lives." more

by Len Lear | 9/22/22

Architect John Rauch with a self-portrait he painted after his retirement.

John Rauch, a good friend and neighbor

Northwest Philadelphia has recently lost one of our beloved longtime neighbors, John Rauch. To the world at large, John was one of the 20th century’s most important architects. He had a long … more

by George McNeely | 9/14/22

According to her niece, Messier “wanted to be a voice for the voiceless and an advocate for those who encounter much difficulty navigating our legal system.”

Passionate Mt. Airy mental health advocate dies at 69

When Flo Messier became the supervisor of the mental health unit for the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office in 2018, she told me it was her “dream job.” more

by Len Lear | 9/8/22

Monnette Sudler, 70, the “Queen of Jazz Guitar,” died of blood cancer Aug. 21 at her home in Germantown.

World-class Germantown jazz guitar 'Queen' dies at 70

I am not a jazz aficionado, but when I heard lifelong Germantown resident Monnette Sudler play the guitar in October of 2014 at one of Woodmere Art Museum's Friday Night Jazz series, I was blown away. more

by Len Lear | 9/1/22

Dr. MacGregor's family said he was “kind, fatherly, a doctor’s doctor. He lived his convictions.”

Medical pioneer, 50-year Mt. Airy resident, dies at 84

Dr. RobRoy MacGregor 3d was a 1964 graduate of Harvard Medical School with the highest honors, an expert on infectious diseases, an early champion of HIV treatment and an emeritus professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. more

by Len Lear | 8/25/22

Marilyn Hillian Rivers, 86, a West Mt. Airy resident for 64 years and beloved civic activist, died July 6 at the Terrace at Chestnut Hill senior community center.

Beloved Mt. Airy civic activist, matriarch, dies at 86

Marilyn Hillian Rivers, 86, a West Mt. Airy resident for 64 years and beloved civic activist for decades, died Wednesday, July 6, of complications from dementia. more

by Len Lear | 8/18/22

Howard N. Watson, much-honored watercolorist associated with Woodmere Art Museum

Famed watercolorist and Woodmere teacher dies at 93

Howard Watson, who died June 17 at the age of 93, was a nationally recognized watercolorist and illustrator. He was appointed artist-in-residence at the White House for former President Jimmy Carter. more

by Len Lear | 8/11/22

Norman Oshtry, a long-time Mt. Airy resident and fighter for social justice, liked to be photographed wearing his beret.

Mt. Airy lawyer, a warrior for justice, dies at 96

Many people are often derisive of lawyers until they need one. more

by Len Lear | 8/4/22

Wendy is seen in her studio, which she opened in 2012 on the northeast corner of Germantown and Willow Grove Avenues.

Beloved lifelong Hiller, famed photographer, dies at 57

More than 600 people crowded into St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill on Friday, July 15, for a memorial service to say goodbye to Wendy Romig Concannon, a mother, wife, sister, artist, … more

by Len Lear | 7/28/22

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