Janet J. Rachow

Janet Rachow (Kwapich) was born on 02.09.1939 in Toledo, Ohio. Mom, who liked to be called Jan, was the 2nd oldest of five children to Joseph and Anastasia Kwapich (Osinski). Many people did not know, Mom's full birth name was Jeanette Joyce Joann. Mom was the only girl and helped take care of her brothers. Mom grew up on Lawnview. On 06.08.1959, Jan married Paul (Rocky) Rachow. Jan and Paul had four children together and were married for 63 years.

The Mom we knew was creative, intelligent, kind, and compassionate. Mom was always making something with her hands whether it was arts and crafts, baking/cooking, and writing, and drawing. Mom had wanted to be an artist/writer. She had her professional name picked out all in lower case, "jan kay".

Mom liked collecting porcelain dolls. Mom had a passion for collecting vintage beautifully made dinnerware pieces, cups and saucers, tea pots, and glassware. All pieces unique, like our Mom.

Mom had a thirst for knowledge and enjoyed reading books of all genres. Mom had a talent for writing poems and had some of her poems published.

Mom loved camping and fishing especially at Harrison Lake. If Mom wasn't around the camp site you could find her sitting on the bank of the lake or out in the boat fishing and shelling her pistachios. Mom loved to be out in nature and enjoyed watching the birds.

Through the years growing up Mom made the best homemade dinners and desserts we have ever eaten. No one can make an apple pie like Mom. Mom loved to plant vegetable gardens· and flowers. Mom's favorite flower is the star daylily and pink and yellow roses. Mom acquired her love for roses from the happy memorable times as a kid she spent with her paternal Grandmother who loved roses.

Mom liked to take long rides enjoying the scenery and exploring new places. Mom frequently vacationed in Ohio's Amish Country. Mom had the opportunity to travel and vacation in Newport Rhode Island and Maine starting with York Harbor on up to Portland. Bar Harbor would have been the next destination. For mom and dad's 50th wedding anniversary they
vacationed in Charleston South Carolina, Savannah Georgia (Bonaventure Cemetery) and visited Tybee Island. Mom enjoyed the many different camping trips throughout the years with her husband and children Paul, Michael, and Robin.

Mom loved a good joke and a good laugh. Mom enjoyed getting together with the family on holidays to play Poker. Spending time with the Grandchildren was Mom's joy.

At the age of 53 Mom decided to further her education and enrolled at Owens. Mom was at the top of her class in bookkeeping and accounting. The family gave Mom a college graduation party. With this Mom got a job at Toledo 76 as an accountant.

Due to dad's vision challenges, Mom and Dad started the Frogtown Low Vision Support Group in 2004. Mom has said that this was one of the best times of her life. Mom considered the people who came to the meetings to be an extended part of her family. Mom enjoyed the time she was able to spend with each person. Their stories, and friendship changed Mom's life and she has been forever grateful for this experience. Sadly when Covid hit the group could no longer meet.

After Covid arrived in 2020, Mom became sick from the virus more than once. As time moved on, Mom lived with the daily challenges of long term Covid. Then in May of 2022, Mom received devastating news that she had developed a tumor in her brain and was not given long to live. The family was with Mom when she received the news. The sheer enormity of that moment made time stand still as we cried trying to understand how this could happen to our Mom. With firm resolve, Mom's four kids decided that they would work together and bring Mom home to take of her. Debra, Paul, Robin, and Michael would give Mom the love and care she had given them from birth and they for her until her last breathe. Mom said she was not afraid to die but was regretting not having more time to love, to see, and to do.

Mom regretted not being able to have another dog after Cinnamon passed away. During Mom's last month's at home Debra, Paul, and Michael bought Mom a Shih Tzu puppy to love and enjoy. Mom named her puppy Bazeley after her primary doctor.

During Mom's last months at home Mom enjoyed looking forward eat what Robin was bringing her for breakfast. Mom would request Robin's homemade macaroni salad for breakfast. Robin baked many homemade cookies which Mom and Debra got to enjoy eating every morning with coffee. Mom loved ice cream. Paul and Mike would enjoy a bowl of ice cream with Mom every evening while watching favorite shows and football games together. Dad would visit Mom and bring her treats to satisfy her cravings.

Mom passed away at home with family by her side on October 11th at 907pm. Proceeding Jan in death were her beloved dogs Schnitzel and Cinnamon, her father, mother, and brother's Robert, Richard, and Thomas. Jan leaves to cherish her memory her husband Paul (Rocky), daughter's Debra and Robin (Guy who mom loved as her own son), and son's Paul and Michael, 9 Grandchildren, 13 Great Grandchildren, Brother James (Sally), along with a host of family, and friends Mom met through.

work and the Frogtown Low Vision Support Group. During the past few years Mom created a special bond with her Great Grand Daughter Brynlee. Mom loved everyone.

Mom's family would like to thank Dr. Bazeley, Lindsay (Social Worker), Lisa (Nurse), a host of other Hospice nurses who came at night when we needed them, and the Aides from Hospice. A special thanks to Melissa, Robin's friend, who helped care for Mom as well when we needed an extra hand.

A very special thank you to Rebecca who loved Mom as her own. Each week Rebecca made homemade meals Mom was craving along with homemade desserts. A week before Mom stopped eating, Rebecca made one of Mom's very favorite cakes, white chocolate cranberry and requested ribs with sauerkraut.

Please join Jan's family in a celebration of her life on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, from 10:00 am until the time of her funeral service at 12:00 pm, with Pastor Roy Southerland officiating. Jan will be laid to rest at Toledo Memorial Park.

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You may stream the service at 12:00 pm on October 19, 2022 by clicking here.