Chester Charles “Chet” Marron, Jr, 91, of Christiana, died of natural causes May 5th, 2026 at home while under hospice care. Chet had recently celebrated his 91st birthday on April 30th with his daughter Jeannine, grandson Michael, son Chester III, and former wife, Ann at his side.

Chet was born in Paterson, NJ, attended La Salle Military Academy in NY and graduated from Ridgewood High School in NJ. He attended Georgetown University in Washington DC where he met Ann Cole. They married at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown, Washington DC.

Chet and Ann lived in Upper Saddle River and Ramsey, NJ where Chet became a stockbroker and had a seat on the American Stock Exchange. He grew restless with corporate life and decided to follow his entrepreneurial spirit and opened an antique shop like his father before him. He owned Chet’s Music Shop in Ramsey, NJ, where he also taught music lessons.

Chet was a great collector of art and formed many long-lasting relationships with artists over the years. After Ann and Chet moved their family to rural Atglen, PA, Chet continued his art relationships in the area and was an influential contributor to the Brandywine Art Museum.

Some of the artwork Chet owned can be seen hanging in the Brandywine Art Museum, the Delaware Art Museum and the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover, DE. Chet’s collection of mandolins was featured in the NY Metropolitan Museum of Art. After Ann and Chet divorced, Chet married fellow artist Doris “Dorcas” Weidner and moved to Christiana, PA. She predeceased him in 2000.

Chet was a gifted self-taught musician and artist. He enjoyed playing in local small musical groups, such as The Red Rose Ramblers and participating in community activism as a member of the Sadsbury Township – Lancaster County Planning Commission. He also founded The Scenic Octoraro Conservancy and created a business called Vintage Stringed Instruments that specialized in appraisals, repair and restoration.

Chet leaves this world knowing that he has left it in the hands of his bright and talented descendants, most of whom have graduated from college. Chet is survived by his children Jeannine L. Marron Twardus of Newark, DE; Nancy J. Marron Asti (Carl) of Southport, NC; and Chester C. Marron, III, of Christiana, PA; along with their mother Ann L. (Cole) Marron of Newark, DE. Chet is survived by his sister Pamela Marron of Dorset, VT.

Chet is also survived by grandchildren Alison M. Kirk (Todd Sammons) of Key West, FL; Caroline L. Kirk Csala (Tom) of Milton, DE; Michael E. Twardus of Newark DE; and Shaina W. Twardus of UVA Charlottesville, VA. Additionally, Chet is survived by great-grandchildren Tommy Csala of UD, Newark, DE and Tyler and Luke Csala of Milton, DE.

Thank you to the staff at Newport Meadows Nursing and Habilitation Center and the staff of Brandywine River Valley Hospice and Home Health. Funeral arrangements are private.

Family asks that any donations be made to the SPCA, as Chet was a great lover of cats and dogs.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg, PA.