Janis Lynn McElwee

Janis Lynn Symons McElwee, 71, of Coatesville, PA, formerly of West Chester, PA, passed away peacefully at home on July 4, 2026.

Born November 10, 1954, in Philadelphia, PA, she was the daughter of the late James Spence Symons and Jean Elizabeth Symons, née McErlain.

A longtime resident of Aston, PA, Janis graduated from Sun Valley High School in 1972. She went on to study criminal justice at Penn State University, graduating in 1976.

Early in her career, Janis worked for the Delaware County Courthouse before her family relocated to West Chester, PA, in 1993. She later found her true passion in social work, serving for many years as a drug and alcohol counselor with COAD. She also volunteered at Chester County Prison, where she compassionately counseled individuals preparing for life after release. Most recently, she was employed at City Gate Mission in Coatesville.

Janis is survived by her husband, R. Robert McElwee, and her beloved children, Richard James McElwee of Downingtown, PA, and Jeannie Lynn McKown and her husband, Matthew, of Coatesville, PA. She also leaves behind her cherished dog, Dixie, and her dearest friends, Bonnie August and Donna Laird, with whom she spoke nearly every day.

Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation at 1:00 PM, Saturday, July 11, 2026 at the Donohue Funeral Home, 43 W. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA, 19335, followed by her Funeral Service at 2:00 PM.

Interment will be private with the family at Glenwood Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516; Brandywine Valley SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380 or to City Gate Mission, 17 N 7th Avenue, Coatesville, PA 19320.