Janet Rapp Atkin

Janet Rapp Atkin

"I would have burned my bra if I had been wearing one," was how Janet Rapp Atkin, age, 70, of Lawrence Park, Pennsylvania would playfully describe marching for the Equal Rights Amendment in 1978 in Washington, D.C. Janet passed away at Saint Vincent Medical Center on November 3, 2021, after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. Hospital staff routinely called her a "tough lady" during her difficult fight.

Janet was born in Lawrence Park and lived there her entire life. She became a mother and married after graduating from Iroquois High School. She began working at the General Electric plant at a young age. Janet's career spanned thirty years and concluded with her being a valued member of the General Electric management team. She began her career working on the factory floor and was always striving to improve herself. She attended classes in the evening while raising her son and working full time, ultimately earning both an undergraduate degree from Gannon University and an MBA from Penn State. Janet was a trailblazer for later generations of working women, and she took great pride in her career accomplishments.

Janet loved cats, art, ceramics, reading science fiction, jewelry, shopping and trading stocks. She ran an investing club for some time and described her investing strategy as simply always looking for a bargain.

Janet was preceded in death by her father, Ralph Atkin; and second husband, Richard "Tom" Reid. She is survived by her husband, Joe Rapp; her mother, Margaret Atkin; her siblings, Jean Gool, John Atkin, James Atkin and Jeff Atkin; her sons, Justin Wolfe and Damien Rapp; and three grandchildren, Maximilian Wolfe, Sylvia Wolfe and Silas Rapp.

Formal funeral services are not being held at this time due to COVID. The family wishes to thank all for understanding this. Memorials in Janet's name may be made to Humane Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania, P.O. Box 3930, Erie, PA 16508-0930. Arrangements are being handled by Dusckas Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 2607 Buffalo Rd.