Elsie Mary Newsham's Obituary
Elsie Mary Jacono Newsham, 95, of 11 Massachusetts Avenue, Lewes, Delaware, passed away peacefully at her home on July 3, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on January 17, 1931, in Linwood, Pennsylvania, Elsie was the daughter of Anthony and Maria Jacono. Elsie and her beloved husband, Harry Newsham, made their home in Pennsylvania, where they raised their family. They spent their summers at Lewes Beach, Delaware, before retiring to Lewes. There, Elsie continued to create a home filled with laughter, warmth, and unconditional love for her five children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Elsie was known for her generous spirit and devotion to family and friends. She loved sharing her delicious Italian cooking with those she loved and found joy in crafting with treasures she collected from the beach. Her creativity, kindness, and welcoming nature touched everyone who knew her.
Before dedicating herself to raising her family, Elsie worked as a laboratory technician at a chemical laboratory in Pennsylvania. Throughout her life, she generously gave back to others through volunteer work with numerous organizations, including St. Jude, local blood drives, and food banks. Her faith and compassion guided her service to her community.
Elsie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harry Newsham, with whom she shared 40 years of marriage; her parents, Anthony and Maria Jacono; her brother, Louis Jacono; and her sister, Regina Wojciechowski.
She is survived by her sister, Theresa Minor of New York; her three daughters, Karen Flickinger of Lewes, Delaware, Sandra Baker (David) of Milton, Delaware, and Maria Flickinger (Gary) of Chincoteague Island, Virginia; her two sons, Thomas Newsham (Lisa) of Rutledge, Pennsylvania, and Michael Newsham (Sue Ann) of Milton, Delaware. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and many extended family members and friends who will cherish her memory.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Delaware Palliative Care and Delaware Hospice for their compassionate care and support. Special thanks are extended to private caregivers Towanda, Niko, Aleya, Donequa, and Wallisha for the love, dignity, warmth, and comfort they provided to our mother and family. The family is also especially grateful for Dorothy, a Eucharistic Minister from St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, who visited Elsie weekly, providing love, friendship, and spiritual support.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, Delaware. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the church.
Burial will be held privately at Henlopen Memorial Park in Milton, Delaware.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Delaware Hospice or St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, Lewes, Delaware.
Elsie's legacy of love, faith, generosity, and devotion to family will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
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