Martha Chieffo

Martha Chieffo of Claymont, age 86, beloved wife, mother, and friend, departed this life on May 12. Originally of Trainer, PA, Martha was the younger daughter of Carl and Catherine Blaier of Germany and Hungary, respectively. She graduated from Eddystone High School in 1954, where “Marty”, as she was known to her friends, was voted Most Popular and even named Miss Trainer. In 1959 she married her high school sweetheart, Tony Chieffo, who was by her side for the next 50 years. Martha was employed as a secretary at Houdry Process Corp. in Linwood from 1954 to 1966 and, after the birth of her daughter Lisa, decided that life at home with her family was more fun than an office job. If Martha had pursued a further career, she would likely have been an interior designer. She always had an eye for style and continuously redecorated her lovely home even well into her 80’s. Likewise her prominent sense of personal fashion regularly elicited complements from friends and strangers alike. Nevertheless, she wasn’t afraid of getting her hands dirty to keep her yard immaculate, down to the last stray leaf. Martha was a lover of animals, particularly dogs, and enjoyed daily walks around her neighborhood with her faithful poodle Louie. Prior to Tony’s passing in 2010, and even afterwards, she traveled both internationally and within the U.S. Twice she was blessed to visit her father’s home town and family in Germany. Martha is survived by her daughter Lisa Chieffo and son-in-law Joachim Piprek, son Anthony, and Louie. She is also survived by her sister, Catherine Wray, and nephews John and Steven Wray and their spouses. The family extends sincere thanks to the caring staff of Churchman’s Village and Compassionate Care for making Martha’s final days more comfortable. Family and friends are invited to visit at Ward Funeral Home, 1459 Market St., Linwood, on Friday, May 20, from 7 PM to 8:30 PM and on Saturday, May 21, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM (jwardfuneralhome.com), with burial to follow at Lawn Croft Cemetery in Linwood. In lieu of flowers, donations in Martha’s memory may be sent to Anthony’s group home provider, Chimes of Delaware (chimes.org, 514 Interchange Blvd., Newark DE 19711), or to Faithful Friends of Delaware, where she found her dear Louie (faithfulfriends.us, 12 Germay Dr., Wilmington DE 19804).