JoAnn C. Balonis, 77, of Millsboro, Del., formerly of Chester, Pa., passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at Renaissance Healthcare in Millsboro, Del. She was born in Scranton, Pa., on Feb. 5, 1940, daughter of the late Paul Walsh and Dorothy (Mawn) Walsh.
After graduating from high school, Balonis worked as a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone Company until her first child was born and she became a homemaker.
Balonis enjoyed going to the theater, crocheting and working in her yard. However, her true happiness came in time spent with her family. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert S. Balonis Sr., in 2010, and two brothers, Brian and Timothy Walsh. She is survived by four children, Robert S. “Bobby” Balonis Jr. and his wife, Regina “Gina,” of Newark, Del., Kimberly Ann “Kim” Reed and her husband, Cliff, of Media, Pa., Dianne Marie “Diney” Balonis of Aston, Pa., and Kristina Marie “Krissy” Raucci and her husband, Julian “Jules,” of Garnet Valley, Pa.; a brother, Dennis Walsh and his wife, Anna Louise “Weezie,” of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, Del. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at noon at Mary Mother of Peace Catholic Church, 30839 Mt. Joy Road, Millsboro, Del. Interment will follow at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro, Del. In lieu of flowers, the family suggested memorial contributions to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation by visiting www.cff.org. Condolences may be sent online at www.melsonfuneralservices.com.