The Obituary Section

Sara Mableton

, Delaware

April 30, 2026

Sara A. Mableton affectionately known as Snookie age 81 of Wilmington DE and formerly of Rocky Point NC passed away on May 1 2026. Sara graduated from Farmingdale High School in 1964 and went on to attend Cornell University where she graduated with an associates degree in the electrician field specializing in air conditioning and refrigeration. Sara worked as a Nurse at Tri Community Health Clinic and had a host of other jobs. After relocating to Central Islip NY in 1983 she began working at Pilgrim State Psychiatric Hospital as a therapy aide. Some years later she transitioned to the electrical service at the hospital where she worked for 25 years. Sara was a faithful member of her local ACFMECSCA Union where she served as Shop Steward and was voted as 2nd Vice President. Sara was also part of the Quart Backs Club at her younger son Rodneys high school…

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Judith Short

, Delaware

She was born in Orange MA on March 11 1948 and her family came to Delaware in 1965 when her father was transferred to Dover to where General Foods had moved their manufacturing plant. Judith was the spouse of Elmer Short who she met in 1965 at Dover High School. They shared 58 years of marriage. She earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Delaware and was hired by the State of Delaware where she worked as a teacher computer instructor and later as principal of Silver Lake and Anna P. Mote Elementary Schools retiring in 2003. Judy was an avid reader many times finishing a book in one day. Her passion in life stemming from childhood was to own her own horse. She realized that dream with 3 horses of her own and caring for many more at local farms. She loved caring for the horses…

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Margaret Briley

, Delaware

Margaret Mary Maggie Thielemann Briley 69 passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 13 2026 surrounded by the love of her family. Born on November 7 1956 Maggie was the daughter of the late Matthew and Anna Thielemann. Maggie dedicated 41 years of her life to Acme Markets where she worked in customer service from 1977 until her retirement in 2018. She was known for her warm smile kind heart and genuine care she showed to everyone she met. Maggies greatest joy in life was her family. She was a devoted mother a loving grandmother dear sister and loyal friend. Her happiest moments were spent surrounded by her children grandchildren brothers sisters and family members. Maggie had a special love for Christmas and carried its joy and spirit with her throughout the entire year. She never tired of watching Christmas movies no matter the season and found comfort and happiness in…

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Michael Ascione

, Delaware

Michael Mike Ascione 51 of Wilmington Delaware went home to the Lord on May 8 2026. He honorably served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Upon completion of his service he worked for many years as a skilled plumber and continued serving the community in the plumbing department at Lowes where he was respected by coworkers and customers alike. Mike was known for his love of the Chicago Bears and could often be found cheering passionately for his team. In September 2022 Michael made it to Soldier Field for the first time and the boys must have known because they actually won the game. Michael was a dedicated son. He was cherished by his siblings as the baby of the family and was known as a topnotch uncle and faithful friend. Michael was preceded in death by his parents Vincent Sr. and Charlotte Ascione and his brothers Robin Ascione…

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Jack Calcaterra

, Delaware

May 10, 2026

John Thomas Calcaterra Jack age 78 passed away on May 11 2026 at home with his wife by his side surrounded by his loving family. Born in Clearwater FL and educated in Wilmington DE Jack was a graduate of Brandywine High Schools class of 1966 where he played football basketball and baseball. He also played recreational softball for many years and was an avid golfer enjoying golf trips with his friends. Jack was literally a Jack of all trades including golf course grounds maintenance welding carpentry and general contracting. He was a lifelong member of Delaware Veterans Post 1 Del Vets in Wilmington DE where he also tended bar. Jack is survived by his loving and caring wife Judy Mattioni his daughters Kim Walker Mike Lemon and Diane Workman Robert and his grandchildren Justin Kristin Brandon Sarah Joshua and Ethan. He was preceded in death by his father Jack his…

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Virginia Lion

, Delaware

Virginia Ginny Lion age 75 of Landenberg passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 13 2026 in Newark Delaware. She was a beloved wife mother grandmother sister aunt and friend whose warmth touched everyone she met. Ginny was born on December 29 1950 in Pottstown Pennsylvania to the late Earl and Ruth Keiser. She graduated from Pottstown High School and went on to earn her Associates Degree from Brandywine College. Her career began at SKF in King of Prussia where she met the love of her life John Lion. She spent the majority of her career as a real estate secretary at ODonnell Weiss Mattei in Pottstown where her steady kindness and quiet competence made her a trusted presence to colleagues and clients alike. Ginny married her best friend and built a life rich in love laughter and family. She and John recently celebrated 54 years together marked by three cherished…

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Stanislaw "Stanley" Kurkowski

, Delaware

Stanislaw Stanley Kurkowski 72 of Newark Delaware passed away unexpectedly at his home on Friday May 15 2026. Born in Grzymki Poland on April 4 1954 he was a son of the late Eugene and Anna Lempicki Kurkowski. As a young man Stas served in the Polish Military and made a title for himself that he is honored to carry. Stanley came to the United States in 1978 with his wife Zenia and their young children in hope for a life full of success. Stas worked for Potts Welding Boiler Repair Inc. for more than 20 years but everyone knows him as the goto right hand man who would drop anything to help someone else. He built friendships with the people around him because he would never turn down a challenge. Stas was the hardest working man living his life with passion in everything he did. He built everything with…

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Sr. Thomas Stirparo

, Delaware

Thomas Tom Stirparo Sr. 89 of Wilmington Delaware passed away on Wednesday May 13 2026. Born in Wilmington on August 23 1936 he was the youngest son of the late Giovanni and Carmella Barba Stirparo. Tom was a graduate of Salesianum High School and worked as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service for 37 years mostly working out of the Edgemoor Branch. He retired in 1996. Tom will be dearly missed by his sons John J. Stirparo Thomas A. Stirparo Jr. and wife Mary Kay Daniel Stirparo and wife Mary his grandchildren Christine M. Stirparo Jason Gregory M. Stirparo Lauren Kevin A. Stirparo Daniel A. Stirparo Paige Michael J. Stirparo Marlie Meghan N. Stirparo and his great grandchildren Sebastian Lucia Jack and Beckham. Tom was predeceased by Millicent his wife of 69 years in February 2026 and his brothers Philip Stirparo Frank Stirparo Joesph Stirparo and James…

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Jr. Thomas Fitzgerald

, Delaware

Thomas Joseph Fitzgerald Jr. Tom 81 beloved husband father grandfather family member and friend passed away peacefully at home in Newark Delaware on May 8 2026. Born on August 6 1944 to Thomas Joseph Fitzgerald Sr. and Dorothy Healy Fitzgerald Tom grew up in Lynn and Danvers Massachusetts and attended St. Johns Preparatory School. Tom graduated from Lowell Tech now the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a degree in electrical engineering. Upon graduation he joined DuPont where he remained throughout his distinguished career. Various positions with DuPont took Tom and his family to Circleville Ohio Fayetteville North Carolina Parkersburg West Virginia and Ahlen Germany before ultimately settling in Delaware. In his final role at DuPont Tom enjoyed many years in technical sales for Butacite safety glass traveling the world. Tom shared 58 wonderful years of marriage with his high school sweetheart Gretchen. Together they built a warm and loving home…

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Margaret Mckee

, Delaware

Margaret Margie McKee age 79 of Millsboro beloved mother sister aunt grandmother and friend passed away peacefully on May 8 2026 in Oxford Pennsylvania. Margie was born on August 30 1946 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania to the late George and Margaret Hahn and was the oldest of 4 siblings. After moving from Philadelphia she grew up in Ridley Park where she met her beloved husband of 50 years. She later moved to New Castle Delaware and then to Wilmington before retiring to Millsboro. Margie was a dedicated homemaker raising her 3 children and then caring for each of her 7 granddaughters while also working as a bartender for more than 30 years. In her free time she enjoyed spending time at the beach reading playing card games and vacationing with friends shopping and trying her luck at the casino slot machines. She also loved baking and experimenting with new recipes. Above…

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James Sullivan

, Delaware

James Joseph Sullivan of Middletown Delaware peacefully passed away on Sunday May 10th 2026. He was 84 years old. Jim was born in Pasadena California to Bill and Thelma Sullivan. He studied math physics engineering and business at Santa Clara University Brown University and the University of Delaware earning a Bachelors and three Masters degrees in Physics Electrical Engineering and Business Administration. His career at Hewlett Packards Avondale Pennsylvania Division of Analytical Instruments spanned over 30 years and focused on detectors for gas chromatographs particularly his invention of the atomic emission detector or AED. Jim was a family man and deeply devoted to his wife Gail Sullivan for 60 years whom he greatly missed after her passing in 2023. Jim and Gail loved taking their three children to museums amusement parks the UD pool and to Holy Family Catholic Church on Sunday as well as to the Jersey Shore with…

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