Al Talbot passed away on April 12, 2021, at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE.  He succumbed to injuries sustained in a fall at his beach home in Bethany Beach, DE.
Al was the youngest of four children born to John and Marie Talbot.  He was born on October 22, 1930, and raised at 44 Brookside Road in Springfield, PA, where he attended Saint Francis of Assissi School and graduated from West Catholic High School in 1948.
After graduating from Villanova University in 1952 with a degree in chemical engineering, Al worked for the Houdry Processing Corporation.  He later applied and was accepted to the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.  He completed the Academy in 1955 and married Mariann “Nancy” Matthews on July 30, 1955, at St. Stephen’s Church in Philadelphia, PA.   
Al was stationed in New Orleans, LA, and Gulfport, MS, where Al and Nancy welcomed two daughters: Marianne (1956) and Bernadette (1957).
After his service in the Coast Guard, Al and Nancy returned to Pennsylvania, eventually settling into a new home on Scott Lane in Wallingford.  Al began a long and successful career in the oil refining industry first returning to Houdry (1958-1966) and then at Sun Oil Company (SUNOCO) (1966-1997).  Al worked in Research + Development and was granted several patents for his work.  He was invited to testify before Congress and traveled the world to present his research to international engineering and scientific bodies.
After returning to Pennsylvania, Al and Nancy would welcome 6 more children:  Paul (1959), Kathleen (1961), Michelle (1963), Teresa (1964), Michael (1966), and Peter (1974).  It is no wonder that Al’s most frequent birthday wish was for “peace and quiet.”
Al and Nancy were both active in the St. John Chrysostom community from the very beginning.  Al was part of the liturgical committee that developed the first Penance service,  and in the church’s early days taught CCD and served as a lector.  Al and Nancy would also serve as Pre-Cana facilitators for many years.
Al, with the mind of an engineer, might have taken his parenting inspiration from the book Cheaper by the Dozen, always finding ways to efficiently and equitably distribute resources and manage his large brood.  His children recall 4 ounces of orange juice being measured precisely and uniformly at breakfast;  their allotment of 10 grapes per child; and a two-minute shower limit.  Al was also a loving and devoted father, finding time to build wooden play ovens and cradles, coach softball and soccer, play countless card and board games, and wrestle on the living room floor while his children tried to remove his slippers to tickle his feet.
Vacations were usually to visit family in Vermont or New York, go “down the shore” in New Jersey,  enjoy the beach in Delaware, or camp in national parks.  A family road-trip to Chicago for the wedding of Al’s niece prompted him to construct a large wooden car-top carrier which he painted bright pink. (He claimed it was for visibility, but we all knew it was because there was paint left-over from another project).  His children saw their Dad as “Mr. Fixit,” perpetually involved in a home or auto repair project or tinkering with a broken appliance.  There was seemingly nothing his keen and inquisitive mind could not break-down to discover how it worked.  Much of his “free time” was spent maintaining the family home in Wallingford or beach homes in Delaware, where he himself seldom indulged in traditional R+R, instead selflessly devoting his time to make sure others could enjoy themselves.  Today his grandchildren fondly recall the family beach weeks together with their cousins where they formed deep bonds and wonderful memories that they will cherish for a lifetime.  When Al did allow himself time to relax he loved listening to music (especially classical), drinking fine wines (and cheap beer), reading the newspaper or Time magazine (often months out-of-date), playing tennis, or traveling the world with Nancy.
Perhaps Al’s greatest legacy (besides his eight children and fourteen grandchildren) will be the way he connected with his friends, family, and all those around him.  Al could be a man of few but precise words — he had a gift for always picking the exact right word for the moment.   His letters were meticulously crafted exemplars of a forgotten art that recipients treasured and saved.  But he was particularly gifted in conversation, putting anyone he spoke to at ease, always genuinely more interested in asking questions and listening to them than talking about himself.  Inevitably, no matter where Al went, he would run into someone he knew.  His children would groan when they would hear someone shout “Hey Al!” in a restaurant or airport, knowing that Dad was about to engage in lengthy conversation with some acquaintance.  What they now realize is that this was a testament to how special Al could make the people who knew him feel.
Anyone who met Al remarked on his warm and broad smile, his twinkling and often-times mischievous blue-eyes that revealed a dry, but keen sense of humor.  Al was famous for “pulling the leg” of those around him.  Dinner guests had to be forewarned, and telemarketers who called the house were in for a particularly disorienting experience.  When a telemarketer would call, rather than hang up, Al would engage them in lengthy conversations about the weather, their present whereabouts, or their plans for marriage and children, anything but the reason they actually called, frequently forcing them to try to find some way to escape the call.  Al’s sense of humor and fun-loving spirit was particularly on display at parties and his children’s wedding receptions where he loved to do the chicken dance, sometimes donning a purple wig and rubber chicken nose.
After returning to school to earn an MBA from Drexel in 1992, Al finally retired from paid work in 1997.  His retirement years were no less active or productive than the years that came before.  Al continued to devote himself in service to family and others.  He continued to sing in the St. John Chrysostom “Faithful Band” a vocation he began at the age of 59 and continued for 31 years.  He spent more than 20 years volunteering to prepare tax returns, free of charge to other seniors.  In addition to donating 15 gallons of blood over his lifetime, he also spent many years transporting blood donations for the American Red Cross.  Together, Al and Nancy supported a wide range of global charities and causes that advanced the welfare of those less fortunate than them.
He also spent his retirement years maintaining and deepening bonds with his family and distant relations.  Al and Nancy were doting grandparents - attending sporting events, recitals, birthdays, First Communions, and graduations.  Photos with his grandchildren are notable for Al’s beaming smile and the almost visible bond between Al and his grandchildren - even with infants and toddlers who could sense he was giving them his full and undivided attention.  Al even maintained relationships with distant cousins in far-flung places, and in recent years, was the driving force in reviving the Gross family reunions of his youth.  “Uncle Al” was also beloved by his many nieces and nephews, viewed by some as a surrogate father after the passing of their own fathers, one who played an active role not just in their own lives, but in those of their children.  One niece commented, “His is a legacy of character, leadership, loyalty, kindness, and selfless generosity.”  
Any remembrance of Al would be incomplete without also paying tribute to Nancy, his devoted wife and constant companion of 65 years.  Together they raised eight children and built an enduring bond of marriage that is an inspiration and a testament to their love.
With Al’s passing, he joins his father John A. Talbot (1966), his mother Marie R. Talbot (1974), and his brothers George P. Talbot (KIA in WWII 1945) and John Talbot (2011) in eternal rest.  
He is survived by his his loving wife of 65 years Nancy; his children and their spouses: Marianne and Joseph Beattie, Bernadette Talbot and Bruce Hayes, Paul and Barbara Talbot, Kathleen and Joe Coleman, Michelle and Frank Gallo, Teresa and Jeff Rougeaux, Michael and Margaret Talbot, and Peter and Amy Talbot; his grandchildren:  Brett and Julia Beattie; Patrick and Sean Carney; Nicholas and Justine Gallo; Rachel Rougeaux Testerman and Ross Rougeuaux; Alex, Grace and Tess Talbot; Brendan, Zach, and Ellie Talbot; and his sister Marie Reich.
His passing leaves a void in all of our lives and an empty place in our hearts for a selfless man who always put his family and friends first and was a shining example of how to conduct oneself with dignity, humor, humility, and kindness in this world.  He was deeply loved, and will be deeply missed.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday April 20, 2021*

10 am Visitation with Family
11 am Funeral Mass

St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church
617 S. Providence Road
Wallingford, PA 19086

*Due to the tragic and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the family requests that well-wishers ask themselves, “What would Al do?” and exercise both good judgement in their decision whether to attend in-person and adhere to all recommended health and safety protocols for their own safety and the safety of others.  

To allow those who can not travel or those who would rather not attend in person an opportunity to observe the service a livestream will be available:  

Topic: Al Talbot Funeral Mass
Time: Apr 20, 2021 10:45 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82152632374?pwd=Q2I5TWgrYVpyZzhSRHQwZjVFMU5Sdz09

Meeting ID: 821 5263 2374
Passcode: 290982

Al requested that in lieu of flowers, you honor him by making a donation to your favorite charity.

While Al loved a good party, and the family would like nothing more than to host a celebration of Al’s life  to share our grief and favorite stories about Al, the risk represented by COVID has prompted the family to opt for a small private reception.  We hope and pray that we may all be able to gather again soon under happier circumstances.

​Our mother died peacefully in the early morning hours of April 3rd. She was 86 years of age. She was born in Canonsburg, PA, the only daughter of George and Margaret Foley. She was raised in a town south of Pittsburgh, PA known for its historic education center, nearby coal mining and railroad economy. She was the last surviving member of the Foley family predeceased by her brothers John, Jim, and George. Canonsburg was known for its musical celebrities including crooner Perry Como. Bobby Vinton was a classmate of our mother’s and they were believed to have dated in high school.
 
Mom graduated from Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University) in Pittsburgh with a degree in Nutrition. She was introduced to my father, Robert Moore, by his best friend Frank Florian. Our parents were married at St. Patrick’s in Canonsburg in September of 1956. They lived in Orange, Texas for the first two years where Dad was first hired by Dupont. They returned to Canonsburg and then moved to Bethel Park and then to Upper St. Clair Township. Before moving to Philadelphia, mom had bore seven children, one girl and six boys. A seventh son, Daniel, was born shortly after the move to Philadelphia in the early 1970’s, and mom and dad raised eight children in their suburban home in Wallingford, PA.
 
Our mother was very proud of her family and supported her children through high school and college. She found time to become active in a community vocal group, The Valley Voices, where her husband Bob was the piano accompanist. Mom loved to attend local community plays and musical and theater events in the greater Philadelphia area with her husband and friends. She was a founding member of a women’s investment club in Wallingford. She worked as a part-time secretary for a professor of Women’s Studies at Swarthmore College. She became a volunteer at an AIDS hospice in Chester, PA inspired by Mother Teresa and run by the Sisters of Charity. In her fifties, she worked as a secretary for a law firm in Media, PA.
 
After retiring from her work, she became a docent at the Brandywine River Museum due to her love of the work of Andrew Wyeth and the work of his father, siblings and children. She was well-loved by her friends, her husband Bob, her children and family relations.
 
She is predeceased by her husband, Robert Moore (86 years of age), and leaves behind eight children, Mary, Dan, Mike, Dewey, Chris, Tom, John, and Bob, one brother-in-law, Franklin, eleven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
 
Her smile, hugs and laugh were her trademark. She was the strongest and most beautiful five-foot two woman a person could ever happen to meet.
 
Her Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 23rd at 11:00 AM at St. John Chrysostom’s Church in Wallingford, PA. Friends and family are invited to call from 10:00 -11am in church. Burial will follow in St. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, PA.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mercy Hospice 334 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 or e-mail: mercyhospice@chs-adphila.org.
 

Evelyn Febbo Molla, 97.
Surrounded in every way by the family that loved her, our mother has died. A woman of faith, family and clean baseboards. Predeceased by her parents Dionino and Mary Febbo; her adoring husband Michael; and her much loved sister Grace. Survived by her grateful daughters and their families who loved her dearly: Angela Marvel, Kathy Molla (Jack Trombley) , Fran Gill (Gooch); grandsons and their spouses Andrew and Penny Marvel, Aaron and Cherie Marvel, Sean Gill, Michael Gill; great grandchildren Gunnar, Pearl, Ava and Summer who were her heart’s delight. She is with us always.

A world of gratitude and love to Mom's friend and caregiver Masseba, and many thanks to the staff of Glen Riddle Assisted Living.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Service on Thursday April 15 at 11:00 AM at Carr Funeral Home 935 S. Providence Rd. (Route 320) Wallingford. Friends may call from 9 to 11 AM. Interment Private.
​
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory to Beautiful Gate Outreach Center 604 N. Walnut St. Wilmington, DE 19801 are appreciated.

​Jozefa (Seniura) Soroka (nee Ziemba) went to eternal rest with the Lord on March 22, 2021 at the age of 97.

She was born in Poland to Michal and Magdalena (nee Przybylo) Ziemba.  She was one of six children but unfortunately none of her siblings would live to adulthood.

When Jozefa was two her father died when he fell off a roof.  Her mother later married Stanislaw Musial and they had two children, Marcjanna and Andrzej. Her mother fell ill and passed away when Jozefa was only nine years old.  She was forced to quit school to help take care of her half-sister, who was four, and half-brother, who was an infant.  Unfortunately her brother passed away shortly after his mother’s death.  Feeling abandoned and alone, Jozefa bounced around living with different relatives searching for some comfort and longing for family, but only stayed for short periods of time due to lack of food and space, occasionally returning to the home she grew up in.

In 1939 the mayor of her village offered an opportunity for orphaned children to travel to Germany to work.  Jozefa willingly volunteered and ended up on a farm near Vicksburg that produced food for the German army, working long hours with no pay, just food and a place to sleep. She did not speak German, but quickly learned the language and became proficient in other languages by associating with the other workers on the farm who were from various other countries.  Initially, she took care of the swine, but she was trustworthy and a hard worker and was given more responsibility.

While in Germany, she met Jaroslaw Seniura, who was from Ukraine.  After the war ended they married and soon after their son was born in Neumarkt, Germany.  They received sponsorship from friends living in America and started the process of preparing to travel to the United States.  What a difficult decision it must have been knowing you are leaving your family, friends, and a way of life you are familiar with and traveling to a country where you know no one nor speak the language.  In October 1950 the Seniura family boarded the USS General S D Sturgisfrom Bremerhaven, Germany, landed at Ellis Island in New York, and settled in Chester, Pennsylvania.  A few months later their daughter was born.  They became members of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, whose members were a tight knit community of other Ukrainians who also recently immigrated to America.  Even though Jozefa was Polish she adopted the Ukrainian language, culture, and traditions. After a few years of hard work and determination, they bought their first home in Chester.  In 1960 they moved the family to Eddystone where Jozefa resided for 20 years.  That same year she became an American citizen and was very proud of the freedom and opportunity this great country provided to her and her family.

In 1971 her husband Jaroslaw, while working for Atlantic Steel Castings, was tragically killed when a six-ton metal casting shifted and flipped over on top of him, killing him instantly.  Jozefa, who was only 48 at the time, was devastated when her husband was taken so quickly from her.

In 1979 Jozefa married her second husband, Wasyl Soroka, at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia, where they became members.  They bought a home in 1980 in northeast Philadelphia and resided there until January 2020 when both moved to California to be closer to their family.  In November 2020 Wasyl passed away.

Jozefa was employed at Ship’n Shore in Upland, Pennsylvania for more than 20 years until the plant closed in 1971.  After the closure, she was forced to look elsewhere for employment and worked at several different locations, including Kyj’s Bakery in Chester, a bridal salon as a seamstress, and Ridley High School as a janitor.

Jozefa is survived by her children: Eugene Seniura (Susie); Daria Reed (Edward); three grandchildren: Adria Higginson (Jonathan), Lauren Valencia, and Kristen Seniura; four great-grandchildren: Emerson, Colin, Luna, and Jade; four step-children: Taras Soroka (Daria), Olha Moran (Michael), Marilyn Soroka (fiancé Raymond), and Wasyl Soroka (Katherine); half-sister Marcjanna Augustyn (nee Musial), who resides in Poland, niece Kazia Krupinski, and nephew Andrzej Augustyn, both residing in New Jersey.

Even though Jozefa experienced tremendous loss and sorrow at a very early age, she was the most loving wife and mother.  She was devoted and proud of her family, who she loved immensely.  She will be remembered for her wisdom, perseverance, strength, tenacity, sense of humor, positive attitude, vitality, and her amazing cooking.  She loved God and was proud of her heritage and her humble beginnings.  She had a gift for making friends wherever she went and always greeted people with a friendly hello and a smile.  She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Mass on Saturday April 17 at 10:30 AM in Holy Myrrh-Bearers Ukrainian Catholic Church 900 Fairview Road Swarthmore, PA 19081. Interment SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield. 

In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are appreciated.