Wife and late husband, both supporters of nonprofits, receive Community Cornerstone Award
PENN TWP — Lisa Konesni and her late husband, David Konesni, received the 2026 Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award for their several decades of contributions to nonprofits.
Dozens of the Konesnis’ friends, family and community peers gathered at the Butler Country Club Friday night, May 8, to recognize their achievements across the county.
The award is presented each year to people whose work has made an impact. To Friday’s speakers and the staff of the Jean B. Purvis Community Health Center, the Konesnis are the epitome.
The Community Health Center provides medical, dental, vision and behavioral healthcare to uninsured and underinsured residents of Butler County and surrounding areas at no cost. The center is funded entirely by community donations and grants.
Audray Muscatello Yost, a previous award recipient and friend of the Konesnis, spoke about some of Lisa Konesni’s work over her decades of service.
Lisa Konesni served on the board of directors of the Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation since 1993, including as president from 1997 to 2001. During that time, she co-chaired the Vision capital campaign and led the inaugural Scholar’s Circle annual fund drive.
She served two terms on the Butler Area School District Board of Directors. She was also an active member of the board of the Butler Area Public Library, including service as president of both that board and the board of the larger Butler County Federated Library System.
“Lisa started the FAB showcase,” Yost said. “Not everyone liked the name FAB until she explained that it stood for Fine Arts and Beyond. The fundraiser showcases the artistic work and musical talent of the students of the Butler Area School District. Proceeds provide funding for creative teaching grants, the kids’ weekend backpack program, scholarships for graduating seniors with financial need and classroom technology.”
Lisa Konesni also helped fundraise for numerous nonprofits, including on the Maridon Museum’s capital campaign committee and as chair of the Butler County Historical Society’s annual art auction gala.
She has also served as chair of the Community Health Center’s annual Signature Sensations planning committee and as co-chair of the center’s Garden Party at Elm Court.
“Life had its challenges for Lisa, but she met them with unwavering commitment, compassion and grace. Her family, friends and anyone who knows Lisa — especially me — are very, very blessed,” Yost said.
David Konesni graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1971 and served in the United States Army Reserve, reaching the rank of captain until he was honorably discharged in 1979. He went on to work at Nicholas Enterprises, Inc., becoming president and CEO in 1998.
He volunteered during the construction of the community health center and joined its board of directors shortly after its founding. He served as vice president from 2009 to 2012, and as president from 2012 to 2021.
Jim Cunningham, another friend and vice president of the community health center’s board of directors, spoke about meeting David Konesni during the founding of the center.
“David was someone who brought steadiness and kindness to everyone around him,” Cunningham said. “As a friend, he was thoughtful, dependable — the kind of person who showed up not only in the big moments, but the small moments.”
After his diagnosis with ALS in 2021, David Konesni remained on the board and was later named president emeritus. He died in January 2025 from the disease.
He also served as chair of the Butler County General Authority and as a Boy Scout scoutmaster for nine years.
David and Lisa Konesni shared a 47-year marriage, raised four children and welcomed four grandchildren.
One of those children, Amelia Konesni Grubman, spoke on behalf of all four children about what life was like growing up in the Konesni home and how it mirrors their public work.
“Just as the role of caregiver was seamlessly incorporated into the fabric of my parents’ lives, so was the role of volunteer,” she said. “Giving back to the community was another priority that was simply part of life for them.”
Grubman said, just as the work of being a parent was thankless, the Konesnis never asked for public recognition for their work.
“This is just how things were at my house, in our family. There were no strings attached,” she noted. “There was no grandstanding or quid pro quo. No desire for public recognition. They were both humble people who were just doing what they thought was the right thing in life.”
During her speech, Lisa Konesni took the time to read a letter from Purvis to David Konesni from when Purvis retired from the center.
“’You have been a great example to all of us in how an organization should be managed. I learned so much for you, having myself a tendency to try to move too fast,’” Lisa Konesni read aloud.
She thanked everyone who attended, saying she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love.
“I stand here tonight truly overwhelmed looking at all of you wonderful people who are dear friends. Many of you I’ve known a lifetime and have come long distances tonight to be here,” she said. “I just wish Dave could be here too, because he wouldn’t have believed it.”
-
Jim Cunningham talks about his friend David Konesni during the seventh annual Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award ceremony at the Butler Country Club on Friday, May 8, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Audray Muscatello Yost talks about her friend Lisa Konesni during the seventh annual Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award during a ceremony at the Butler Country Club on Friday, May 8, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Lisa Konesni smiles as her daughter, Amelia Grubman, talks about her parents during the seventh annual Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award ceremony at the Butler Country Club on Friday, May 8, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Amelia Grubman talks about her mother Lisa Konesni and father David Konesni as the receive the seventh annual Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award during a ceremony at the Butler Country Club on Friday, May 8, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Audray Muscatello Yost hugs Lisa Konesni before giving Lisa her flowers and award during the seventh annual Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award ceremony at the Butler Country Club on Friday, May 8, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Audray Muscatello Yost reads the inscription on a clock presented to Lisa Konesni before the seventh annual Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award ceremony at the Butler Country Club on Friday, May 8, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Lisa Konesni kisses Audray Muscatello Yost as Lisa receives the seventh annual Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award during a ceremony at the Butler Country Club on Friday, May 8, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Jim Cunningham reads the plaque in honor of Lisa Konesni and David Konesni during the seventh annual Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award ceremony at the Butler Country Club on Friday, May 8, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Lisa Konesni thanks those in attendance as she receives the seventh annual Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award during a ceremony at the Butler Country Club on Friday, May 8, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Members of the Goden Tornado Scholastic Foundation pose with Lisa Konesni, middle, during the seventh annual Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award during a ceremony at the Butler Country Club on Friday, May 8, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Lisa Konesni poses with her grandchildren during the seventh annual Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award during a ceremony at the Butler Country Club on Friday, May 8, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Lisa Konesni poses with family during the seventh annual Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award during a ceremony at the Butler Country Club on Friday, May 8, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Lisa Konesni poses with family during the seventh annual Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award during a ceremony at the Butler Country Club on Friday, May 8, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Lisa Konesni receives the seventh annual Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award during a ceremony at the Butler Country Club on Friday, May 8, 2026. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
