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 (nee McErlain).

A long time resident of Aston, PA, she was a 1972 graduate of Sun Valley High School. She went on to study criminal justice at Penn State University, graduating in 1976.

During her early career years, she worked for the Delaware County Courthouse before the family relocated to West Chester, PA in 1993. She went on to find her true passion in social work. She worked for COAD for many years as a drug and alcohol counselor. She was a compassionate volunteer at Chester County Prison, where she counseled those to prepare for life after their release. She was most recently 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 (Matthew) of Coatesville, PA. She will also be dearly missed by her devoted dog, Dixie.

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. 

Internment will be private with the family.

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.