John Scarlett Halsted

John Scarlett Halsted, 91, passed away peacefully in the company of his family at home on June10, 2025.

He was born in Toledo, Ohio in 1933 to Mary Scarlett Gawthrop and John Oswald Halsted.

A life-long resident of Kennett Square, Pa, he was a graduate of St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, DE and Amherst College in Amherst, MA.

After serving as an Army medic in Korea, John returned to Pennsylvania where he married Elizabeth Barnes in 1957 and attended Law School at the University of Pennsylvania. John was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar Association 1961, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1962, and the United States Supreme Court in 1965. After passing the bar, he joined his family’s firm Gawthrop and Greenwood where he worked for more than 40 years where he was a mentor to many. While there, John served as an assistant DA and was Chester County solicitor from 1971 to 2007. He was a past president of the Chester County Bar Association, a past president and director of the Chester County Historical Society and a director of the Chester County Hospital. Mr. Halsted was also a director of the former First National Bank of Chester County. John was a part of the fabric of the Kennett community serving on many local boards, including Bayard Taylor Memorial Library and Upland Country Day School in addition to being a long-time solicitor for Kennett Township.

His greatest fulfillment and happiest moments, however, came from time spent with his family and friends. He was a patriarch to the last. Fiercely principled and endowed with a deep sense of duty, it was fitting that he should pass away in the care of his loving family, for whom he had so devotedly cared. He was known for his kindness, generosity, integrity, intellect and dry humor—qualities that were on full display until the end. His legacy will live on through the countless stories and memories shared by those who had the pleasure to know him.

John was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Betsy and his sister Mary “Bitsy” Gawthrop Melody. He is survived by children Beth Halsted (Kennett Square, PA), Scarlett Carey and husband, Bill (Lincoln, MA), John S. “Jock” Halsted, Jr. and wife, Denise (Columbus, OH), Tom Halsted (Kennett Square, PA), eight grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate John's life will be held on 2 August 2025 at 1:00 PM at The Church of the Advent, 401 N Union St, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Chester County Hospital or Upland Country Day School both causes close to his heart.

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. West Chester.