Janet Kohl Varo

Janet F. Kohl Varo, age 74, of Fairview, passed away on Wednesday July 31, 2013.

Janet was born in Lackawanna, New York on March 30, 1939, the daughter of the late Albert H. Kohl and Emma Phillips Kohl.

She graduated from Academy High School in 1956 and was married on February 7, 1959.

She was a stay-at-home mother until 1976, when she joined her husband at the family business, Varo Moving & Storage, as secretary/bookkeeper. She worked there until her husband’s retirement in 1998. To keep active, she then went to work for Wegman’s and was a Pharmacy Technician at the west Erie Store until her retirement in 2010.

In her younger days, she enjoyed cross-country skiing with her daughter, and she played racquetball in a league for many years.

In her spare time, Janet was an avid reader, expert knitter and seamstress, and loved to cook. But no matter where she worked outside the home, or what hobbies she pursued, she was always, first and foremost, a devoted wife and mother.

In addition to her parents, Janet was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Russell J. Varo, who died on February 9, 2013.

She is survived by her son, V. Joseph Varo, and her daughter and son-in-law Lory A. Varo and Thomas M. Maggio. She also leaves behind her brother and sister-in-law, Richard A. Kohl and Katherine E. Davies Kohl of Twinsburg, OH; and she was known as “Auntie Jan” to her niece, Nancy L. Kohl Schwandt (William Schwandt) of Avon, OH; nephew, Douglas R. Kohl (Kathryn Slowins) of Akron, OH; and several grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

In accordance with Jan’s wishes, no calling hours will be observed. Private arrangements have been entrusted to the Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 West 10th Street, Erie.

Memorials may be made to Guardian Angels Pug Rescue, 259 Derbytown Road, Latrobe, PA 15650, or the Regional Cancer Center, 2500 West 12th Street, Erie PA 16505.