Janet Lee Calkins, 81, of Edison, NJ, died Wednesday September 23, 2026 at JFK University Medical Center.
Janet lived an adventurous and colorful life. At various points of her life, she was an actress, world traveler, entrepreneur, professional gardener, community organizer, publisher, landlady, LGBT activist, political operative, government official, dog groomer and pet sitter. At all times, she was a whirlwind of energy who made friends wherever she went and made sure they were well-fed and recruited into whatever games she could make them play or otherwise involved in her activity of choice.
Janet was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts to Caroline LaVerdi Calkins Camerlengo and Elliot Calkins. She is predeceased by her parents and siblings Craig Calkins and Bonnie Hagerty as well as numerous dogs and cats Janet rescued and raised. She is survived by her brother Wayne Calkins, loving ex-wife Ruthe (Rusty) Rustin, nephews Noah and Justin Calkins, nieces Lisa Calkins and Elizabeth Johnson, and an extensive, well-loved family of friends who adored her and will miss her kind heart and great spirit tremendously.
After graduating from high school in Pittsfield, Janet split her time between college, working, acting, community activism, and her first love, travel. While her home base shifted from Pittsfield to New York City, Los Angeles, and Oakland, she had travel adventures throughout Europe, Asia and Africa, notably in France, Scotland and India. Eventually after settling down in Oakland, CA, she obtained her BA in Communications from Mills College in 1988.
Throughout her adult life, Janet took part in the struggles for women’s and LGBT rights. While living and studying in New York City in the 1970s, Janet was a member of the Gay Activist Alliance, spearheading the first forum for LGBT rights at Columbia’s School of Education and lending her voice to that organization’s advocacy and community education. In the 1980s, she was a community organizer and then member of government staff for the city of Oakland, CA. In 1990 Janet moved to New Jersey and soon was putting her experience to use as co-chair of the NJ Lesbian Gay Coalition Taskforce for passage of A634, a landmark NJ civil rights bill protecting against discrimination in employment and housing. Due to her work on A634, Janet was hired onto Governor Jim Florio’s team and worked in community outreach until the end of his governorship. In later years, Janet was an invited speaker at schools in Middlesex County to share her experience as an educator for equality.
In the 1970s, Janet for a time was co-owner of a popular neighborhood gift shop in the Upper West Side and came up with the idea to give names to animal figurines, which proved to be wildly successful and pre-dated Beanie Babies by over 15 years.
Janet moved to the West Coast in 1978 and in 1983 met her long-time partner, Ruthe (Rusty) Rustin, and with her made a home in Oakland. Soon, Janet was publishing a community newspaper and working as president of the 1000-household neighborhood association.
In 1990, Janet and Rusty relocated back to New Jersey, and after her work on A634 was complete, Janet moved onto another cause for which she was passionate: pet rescue and care. Janet became the Pet Nanny, an innovative business combining visiting dog grooming and pet sitting. In her personal capacity, she rescued several dogs and cats and also set about working with vets to get feral cats in her community spayed.
Besides travel, Janet had a variety of passions that included volleyball, tennis, skiing, bowling, card and board games, theater, reading and in later years was an active participant and board member of Times Squares, New York City’s premier LGBT square dancing group.
Most of all, Janet will be remembered for an adventurous spirit, a compassionate and generous heart, and a voice willing to speak her mind and take charge as readily as offer comfort, support and advice.
More information about memorials and her interment with her family in Pittsfield, MA, will be announced at http://janetcalkins.blog
