Obituary of Janet Rusby Childs

Janet Rusby Childs

February 8th,1934 - April 3rd, 2022

Jan died peacefully on April 3rd at The Alton Memory Care home in St. Paul Minnesota where she lived for the last four years. Her three daughters were by her side during her final hours.

She is survived by daughters Margot (Brian) Prendergast, Carrie (Steve) Antonini, and Nina (Mike) Johnson; grandchildren Jonah (Rebecca), Fiona, Lucas, Bianca, Zack, and Juno; sisters-in-law Sally Rusby and Susan (Jim) Matheson; and many beloved nieces and nephews and extended family members. She was predeceased by parents Clarence and Mildred Rusby, and brother Frank Rusby.

Janet was a dedicated mother, teacher, landscape designer and gardener. She loved traveling to different parts of the world to meet people and learn about their cultures. She enjoyed many outdoor adventures with family, friends and Appalachian Mountain Club groups. She was tirelessly dedicated to helping people feel special however she could, whether driving her 11, 15 and 17 year old daughters cross country in a Chevy van with camping mats, or teaching English to Tibetan refugees in Denmark or pounding nails with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans after Katrina. She was a founder of Cornerstone co-housing community in Cambridge, MA which was the last place she called home. She built many beautiful gardens in many places over the years, professionally and for fun just because she couldn’t resist.

The lasting image we will keep forever is Jan’s love for the people in her life, of nature, of art, music and the celebration of humanity, and her endless curiosity.

A Memorial Service for Jan will be announced at a later date.

Gifts in her honor can be sent to:

Rosie’s Place http://www.rosiesplace.org/

Appalachian Mountain Club https://www.outdoors.org/donate/tribute-gifts/