Janet Rankin

Janet B. (Hummon) Rankin passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 7, 2024, marking the end of an eventful life that filled 103 years.

A resident of Rhinebeck, N.Y. for the past 16 years, Jan is survived by her daughter Barbara Nolan of Rhinebeck, her son Kenneth Rankin (Nancy) of Lafayette, California, her daughter Nancy Rankin (Jamie Houtz) of Kennebunkport, Maine, and her son Reed Rankin (Dana) of Williamsville, NY, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, many beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. Her husband of 36 years, Kenneth S. Rankin, predeceased her in 2000.

Born in Clayton, Michigan August 2, 1920, Jan grew up in a close-knit family of five siblings. She and her sister Mary began singing together in high school, then attended the University of Michigan where they met twin brothers, Kenneth and Edward Rankin. During the war, Jan and Mary worked at the Willow Run factory that produced B-24 bombers while Ken and Ed served in the Army. On January 1st, 1944, Jan married Ken and then in May of that year, Mary and Ed were wed.  Shortly thereafter, the twins were deployed overseas, and Jan and Mary moved to New York City to pursue careers in modeling and singing. Both appeared in the chorus of The Merry Widow on Broadway and the touring company.  

After the war, Jan and Ken relocated to Akron, Ohio and started a family. By 1954, they’d relocated to Buffalo, NY, with their four children. Jan continued her love of singing as a soloist for both the Kenmore Methodist Church and Lafayette Presbyterian. She also performed with the Chromatic Club and appeared in community theatre productions.

Jan demonstrated her creative talents by winning first prize in a national contest for kitchen design, receiving a brand new 1963 Rambler. She pursued her career as an interior decorator through the 60’s and 70’s, moving back to New York City in 1978 to establish a decorating practice.

She enjoyed success as a decorator, part time model and movie extra through the ‘80s and ‘90s. In 1999, she retired and lived in Millbrook, NY and Rhinebeck, at the home of her daughter Barbara. In recent years, she enjoyed playing bridge, writing letters, and painting, having produced dozens of watercolors. She loved seeing her family and was blessed by many visits from her loving nieces and nephews.

The family will be hosting visiting hours on Thursday, June 13th, from 4-6 pm at the Dapson-Chestney Funeral Home in Rhinebeck. A celebration of life memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 10, in Millbrook, NY at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, details to be finalized.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of Dutchess County.

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