Barbara J (Donnelly) Lawrence

Barbara J. (Donnelly) Lawrence, more commonly known as “Joni”, age 81 of Loysville, left her Earthly home and was embraced in the arms of Jesus on March 11, 2025.  Born on July 18, 1943 in Washington, DC to the late Thomas J. and Dorothy E. (Cross) Donnelly, Joni was the second born of identical twins.  In addition to her beloved identical twin sister, Jean Meehan of Loysville, Joni is survived by her two sons:  Robert A. Drake (John) and Michael R. Lawrence (Jenn) – both of Philadelphia; five siblings:  Mike Donnelly (Sue), Patty Durkin (Marty), Shawn Donnelly (Nicki), Kathy Zimmerman (Mark), and Danny Donnelly (Linda); and many nieces and nephews who loved her so much.  In addition to her parents, Joni is preceded in death by three siblings:  Peggy Pond, Judy Martin, and Tom Donnelly.

Joni graduated with the 1959 Class of St. Boniface Business School.  In addition to running a household and raising a family, Joni was a cherished waitress at the Aramingo Diner in Philadelphia, from which she retired after over 20 years of service.  She had lots of regular customers, and she enjoyed chatting and serving them.  Naturally, living in Philadelphia, Joni was a die-hard Eagles fan and would answer the team rally call “Go Birds” with “Fly Eagles Fly”.  Joni was the very first resident of Sherman’s Valley Apartments in Loysville.  She was an active member of St. Bernards Catholic Church in New Bloomfield, where she worked on the Council of Catholic Women (CCW).  She was also a social member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post #7463 in New Bloomfield.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Joni in the future.

Arrangements entrusted to Nickel Lochstampfor Family Funeral Home, Inc.

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