Joan Carroll Lotwis

Shortly after celebrating her 93rd birthday with her family and participating at a summer carnival where she dunked a cherished employee and played ring toss and giant Jenga, Joan died peacefully with her daughters and caregivers at her side on July 28th, 2025.

Joan was born in Yonkers, NY and was raised in the Kingsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx, NY. After contracting polio at the age of three, she grew into a strong and courageous self-advocate, a role that defined her life. Always determined, she fought to never be left behind, excelled academically and socially, and lived life to the fullest. She loved a good party, especially when she was the center of attention.

She graduated from St. Barnabas High School in the Bronx and Thorpe Secretarial School in Manhattan, later working as a secretary at General Foods in both Manhattan and White Plains, NY.

Joan was an active member of several communities–including Endwell, NY and Hendersonville, NC–before she settled in West Grove, PA. She was a woman of many talents and always enjoyed a social gathering. Joan was a long-time golfer, a passionate singer, an enthusiastic chimes player, and an avid competitor of Mexican Train dominos, bingo, and many card games. She also took great pride in her needlework and ceramic skills. Late in life, she became a loyal follower of the Philadelphia Eagles and enjoyed watching and discussing the games with her family and friends.  

Joan was a member of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in West Grove, PA and committed time each day to reading scripture and praying. As one of the original residents of Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community, Joan participated in many of the activities that the community offered during her 26 years there. The caregivers and therapists who supported her,  especially over the last six years, formed meaningful relationships with her which enriched her life.

Joan was predeceased by her beloved husband, John J. Lotwis, Jr.; her parents, Walter and Helen (Wall) Carroll; her sisters, Eileen Quinn (John Quinn, Jr.) and Mary Morrill (James Morrill); and her sons-in-law, Doug Corley and Michael Blevins.

She is survived by her three daughters, Barbara Lotwis of San Diego, CA; Geralyn Lupo (John Lupo) of Elizabeth, CO; and Jennifer O’Brien (Tom O’Brien) of Wilmington, DE. Joan was a proud grandmother to Mitchell Blevins (Claire Jameson) of Highland Park, IL; Phillip Lupo (Katelyn Lavin) of Endicott, NY; Michael Lupo (Molly Lupo) of Parker, CO; Matthew O’Brien of Cambridge, MA; and Martha Tabor (Sherman Tabor) of Cambridge, MA. She also leaves behind many cherished nieces, a nephew, a great-grandson, and a life-long friend.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Joan’s life where she will once again be the center of attention. A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 6th, 2025 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Resurrection Parish, 3000 Videre Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment will be held privately at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation in Joan’s memory to the National MS Society, 30 South 17th Street, Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or by visiting https://donate.nationalmssociety.org/campaign/JoanLotwis