JANET GERMAINE KALTER

KALTER JANET GERMAINE (nee Longendyke) May 7, 1942 - November 22, 2025 Age 83, passed away peacefully at her home in Philadelphia on November 22, 2025. Janet is survived by her partner of 46 years, Joe Schiavo; her son and daughterin-law, Scott and Jill Kalter; her sister and brother-in-law, Jeannie and Fran Chauncy, along with their extended family; her sister-in-law, Sharon Schwarz; her former husband, Richard Kalter; and her beloved cat, Yota. Born on May 7, 1942, in Westmorland, Pennsylvania, Janet spent her childhood in Ohio, Indiana, California, Texas, before the family resettled in Pennsylvania. Throughout her childhood Janet attended numerous K-12 schools before attending Girl's High School in Philadelphia, and then The Pennsylvania State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in June 1964, and subsequently, her teaching certification. She later earned a Master of Arts in Psychology in December 1975, and subsequently, obtained her certification and license to practice psychology in 1979. While at Penn State, Janet met her future husband, Richard Kalter, with whom she had her son, Scott. Janet and Richard divorced in 1977. Janet began her professional life as an art teacher in the Philadelphia Public School System before transitioning to the field of psychology. Once credentialed, she worked as a staff psychologist at Horizon House, a social rehabilitation agency. Concurrently she facilitated group therapy at Benchmark, a private school specializing in educating children with learning differences. Janet also established a private clinical psychology practice in center city Philadelphia. In 1981, Janet and her partner, Joe Schiavo, founded Options Lighting Company (a.k.a. OLC). The enterprise flourished, prompting Janet to leave the field of psychology and dedicate herself full-time to OLC. After 25 years of partnership, Janet and Joe sold their company and retired in June of 2006. Following retirement, Janet conceived and implemented a wide range of community improvement projects. Her leadership and dedication earned recognition from the Philadelphia City Council, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia Fire Department, Old City Civic Association, among others. Many of her original initiatives continue today through Old City Green, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization Janet helped build. Her legacy of community improvement through volunteerism lives on. Janet was fiercely independent and quietly proud of her accomplishments: as a mother, psychologist, entrepreneur and business owner, and her community advocacy and volunteer work. One particular point of pride was that at age 49, she took up motorcycling, riding regularly and even traveling cross-country from Philadelphia to the California coast. She also enjoyed restoring vintage motorcycles and, true to her adventurous spirit, twice jumped solo out of an airplane. In her retirement gardening became a passion. Nonprofit organizations Janet supported: Compassion & Choices https://compassionandchoices.org; Best Friends Animal Society https://bestfriends.org; Old City Green https://oldcitygreen.org Respecting Janet's wishes, there will be no Viewing, Funeral, or Memorial Service. Her remains will be cremated. Condolences may be sent via email to: schiavo.joe@gmail.com or addressed to 155 N. Third Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106.