Louise E. Chalmers, 74 HARRINGTON - Louise E. Chalmers, passed away Monday, March 8, 2010, in the Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. She was 74. Born March 29, 1935 in Milford to immigrant parents, the late Emil and Elizabeth Gerardi, Louise grew up on their family farm in Harrington.

She graduated from Greenwood High School in 1953, where she met and fell in love with her husband, Donald Chalmers, whom she married in 1954. After living in Bridgeville, they purchased a home in Greenwood, and then later their cherished family farm in Harrington, where they have resided since 1963.

Louise attended Goldey-Beacom College and worked as an Administrative Secretary in the Department of Weights and Measures, the Department of Education, and the Lake Forest School District, from which she retired in 1991.

Louise was an incredibly talented and creative person who loved to paint, decorate her home, work in her garden, and also enjoyed traveling. She cherished her family dearly and the time spent with them. She loved shopping for antiques and enjoyed finding bargains and treasures in local stores and on eBay. She adopted several stray cats, giving them a loving home.

Louise will be remembered as being strong willed with a loving and generous spirit. Her concern for the well-being of others was one of her most endearing qualities. She will be greatly missed by all.

Louise was a devoted member of the St. Bernadette Catholic Church of Harrington. She and her husband had the distinction of being the first couple married in the newly constructed church, in 1954. She was also a member of the Harrington Red Hatters.

Preceded in death by her parents, Emilio and Elizabeth Gerardi, she is survived by her husband of 56 years, Donald Chalmers; brother and sister-in-law, Emil "Pete" and Delores Gerardi of Harrington; sister and brother-in-law, Marge and Millard Calhoun of San Angelo, Texas; daughters, Donna Short and her husband Cliff of Dover and Rebecca Chalmers of New Castle; her son, Gregory Chalmers and his wife Jennifer of Newark; and four grandchildren, Andrea Ascencio Evia and her husband Juan, Kyle Short, Nathaniel Chalmers, and Alexander Chalmers.

The family expresses special thanks to the Hope Lodge in Baltimore, Md., the University of Maryland Radiation Oncology and Greenebaum Cancer Center, BeeBe Medical Center and Tunnell Cancer Center in Lewes, Bayhealth Medical Center and to all local physicians who supported her.

A viewing will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 12, 2010, at Melvin Funeral Home. Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, Harrington. Interment will follow at Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Louise Chalmers may be made to St. Bernadette Church, 109 Dixon St., Harrington, DE 19952.

Arrangements are by Melvin Funeral Home, Harrington. www.melvinfuneralhome.com

(03/11/10)