Jane Arkus

Jane Callomon Arkus passed away Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. She was the beloved wife of the late Leon Anthony Arkus; beloved daughter of the late Florence Madeline (Schoenthal) and Dr. Verner B. Callomon; sister of the late James V. (late Judith Cohen) Callomon; aunt of Betsy Callomon; also survived by Wendy Thomas, close, personal friend. Jane graduated cum laude from Vassar College in 1950. She dedicated more than 40 years to her field of marketing communications, beginning as creative director at Lando Inc. in 1951 and retiring from Burson-Marsteller, an international marketing communications agency, in 1992 as vice president and senior creative director. Throughout her career, Jane was awarded many honors, including a "Clio" for TV advertising (1969), Ad Day's "Top Creative Directors in the East" (1971), American Advertising Federation "Addies" (1977-1987), first place at Business and Professional Advertising Association (1980), International Film & TV Festival Award (1986), Hollywood International TV Festival Awards (1986), American Marketing Association "Effie" for the United Way of Allegheny County fundraising campaign (1987), Women in Communications Matrix Awards (1991-1993) and American Association of Museums Marketing Award (1993). Even after retirement, Jane could not step away from marketing communications, choosing to consult with local Pittsburgh organizations, including The Frick Art & Historical Center, Animal Friends, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Braddock Hospital. She was also a guest speaker at Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University and the University of Pittsburgh. Jane and her late husband, Leon shared a passion for art and the city of Pittsburgh. In the 1960s, she wrote "Open Season," an original revue produced by the Pittsburgh Playhouse. In the 1970s, she wrote satirical lyrics for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's production of "Die Fledermaus." Jane also wrote the nationally-awarded music video "Pittsburgh, The Livable 1," celebrating Pittsburgh as the "Most Livable City" in the United States in 1985. In 2012, she published "An Accidental Life: The Memoirs of Leon A. Arkus" about her late husband. A dedicated citizen of Pittsburgh, Jane served on the board of many local organizations, including Pittsburgh Playhouse (1957-1967), Winchester Thurston School (1979-1985), City Theatre (1985-1995 and 2001-2008), Metropolitan Pittsburgh Public Broadcasting (1990-1996), Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (1999-2001), Urban League of Pittsburgh (1993-2003), Museum of Art Women's Committee (1969-2022) and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust (1987-2022). She was recognized for her efforts with the YWCA Tribute to Women Leadership Award, Communications (1987), Winchester Thurston School Alumna of the Year (1989), City Theatre's Robert M. Frankel Award (2000), New Hazlett Theater's Women in the Arts "Instigator" (2007), and she was named a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania by Governor Tom Ridge (2000). Services will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, at Rodef Shalom Temple, 4905 Fifth Ave. (at Morewood). Visitation will be at Temple one hour prior to services (10 to 11 a.m.). Interment will be in West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. Arrangements were entrusted to RALPH SCHUGAR CHAPEL, family owned and operated. Contributions may be made to the Cultural Trust of Pittsburgh, 803 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. www.schugar.com.