- Date Of Birth: March 6, 1929
- Date Of Death: March 7, 2020
- State: New York
Janet B. Nast, a child of the Great Depression (b. March 6, 1929), her early memories were of making her way from Illinois to Seattle with her parents, Hazel (Wagoner) & Loren E. Baldwin. This environment inculcated independence, self-reliance and thrift. In that then-sleepy town known mostly for aeronautical engineering, she embraced drama and fine arts, prompting a move to New York City in her late teens.
While earning a college degree at the New School’s Dramatic Arts program, she worked on a play at the National Arts Club in which her future husband-for-life, Thomas D. Nast, had a bit part. They married on August 25, 1951, the second of four generations in the family to wed on that date.
The couple moved to White Plains, where Janet seamlessly split her time as a homemaker among (eventually) four children and her own interests. She was what can be described as a proto-feminist, advocating for women in politics. To this end, she served on the board of the White Plains League of Women Voters for many years and was Associate Editor of Club Dial, the magazine of the Women’s Club of White Plains. She staunchly supported the work of Planned Parenthood. Like her husband, Janet participated in local civic affairs. This notably included a Mayor’s Commission to understand the roots of the 1971 high school riots as well as membership on four PTA boards and Chairing the Citizens Advisory Committee for the 701 Comprehensive Planning and Management Program for the Future of White Plains from 1973-76.
As her children left home, Janet had time to pursue her love of art. With Tom, she was a frequent traveler on five continents, focusing on painting and sculptures. She led tours to art museums up and down the East coast and was a docent at the Neuberger at SUNY Purchase for many years. In later years, formal study led to an Art Appraisal certification and a decade of appraisal work.
Janet was a generous, loving and supportive matriarch, survived by her four children, Thomas B. (Teresa) Nast, Cynthia C. (Rocco Lardiere) Nast, Patricia (Andrew) Nast Beran, and Laeri (Annie) Nast, 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
