Amy S. Walp, 50, of West Chester, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, at her home.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of Leonard and Paula Swithers Walp, of Jackson Twp.

Amy was a 1988 graduate of Lake-Lehman High School and attended West Chester University. She fell in love with the town of West Chester and the university and made her home there for the last 30 years.

Amy served as the backbone of her employer, Under The Sun Productions Inc., a special events production company based in West Chester where she served in countless roles for a wide range of high-profile national public events. She was the “mass group coordinator” for the huge youth choir, tap dance, and dance productions for the QVC/West Chester Christmas Parade, the 6 ABC Dunkin Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade, the Celebrate America Parade, the Miss America “Show Us Your Shoes” parade, The National Independence Day Parade, The Philadelphia Independence Day Parade, The Citrus Bowl Parade, The Tangerine Bowl Halftime show, The Nashville Christmas Parade, The National Memorial Day Parade, the Republican National Convention Lighted Boat Parade, the Welcome America Lighted Boat Parade, the National Cherry Blossom Parade, the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Parade, and The Hershey Centennial Parade. In this role, she managed well over 70,000 individual performers over the course of 20 years, calling them “her kids” and taking great pride and joy in managing the performance opportunities for the young performers. She was a production team member for the first anniversary commemoration of the Crash of Flight 93, participated in the production of several Daytona 500 pre-race shows and was a technician for the Golden Crown New Year’s Brigade and the Hegeman String Band, participants in the Philadelphia Mummers parade, for a number of years.

Amy served as assistant director of the West Chester University Winter Color Guard, Field of View, who was a consistent world class finalist at the Winter Guard International World Championships. She was also the assistant director of the West Chester University Incomparable Marching Band Color Guard, who recently became the first division two school in the history of the United States to receive and currently hold the coveted Sudler Trophy, the “Heisman” for marching bands. Her logistical skills, leadership, sewing skills, dedication, building of props, RAM Pride and much more contributed to the high standards required to receive the award.

Amy received several state and local commendations including the key to the city of West Chester, Volunteer of the Year award from the West Chester Chamber of Commerce and commendations from the Pennsylvania State Senate and House of Representatives.

All of Amy’s efforts in the production industry have contributed to entertaining and spreading love and joy to tens of millions of viewers and spectators from around the globe. Her passing is a huge loss to an industry of making people smile and be happy, as she always cared and gave to others rather than herself.

Surviving in addition to her parents are her brother, Ryan Walp and his wife, Maria, Jackson Twp.; nephew and godson, Adam; and niece, Sarah Grace.

Funeral services will be held privately at the convenience of family.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to West Chester University Foundation in memory of Amy Walp. Please make checks payable to WCU Foundation, Memo: In Memory of Amy Walp, and mail to 202 Carter Drive, West Chester, PA 19382. If making the donation online, visit www.wcufoundation.org/give and include Amy Walp in the tribute information.

Arrangements are by Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home Inc., Shavertown.