Janet R. Rice Sharp , age 88, of Zelienople passed away Monday morning February 17, 2020 in Good Samaritan Hospice, Cabot, PA.
Born October 14, 1931 in Harmony, she was the daughter of the late Ray E. and Rose Szeles Rice.
Janet played the baritone horn in the Zelienople High School Band and was the Head Bugler in the Harmonettes Drum and Bugle Corp.
Janet’s first job was in the kitchen at Emma’s Farm Camp between her junior and senior year. After marriage, she worked at the Estey Organ Co., Resolite Corp. and the Leopold Co. She was a proof-reader of technical documents when she retired from the Society of Automotive Engineers in 1994.
Janet’s belief was “To love and be loved is the greatest joy on earth”. Her life was rich in love for her family and friends who she offered comforting hugs, unfailing humor, and the willingness to share both the best and the worst of times.
Survived by her husband, Merle Sharp; daughter, Kathleen Chilleo; sons, Donald and Michael McCleary; grandson, James McCleary; and great grandson, Aiden McCleary; step sister, Carol Zeidler; step-daughters, Kim, Dawn, Tracy and Susan; step- grandchildren, Raven, Chelsea, Kori, Jordan, Zarian and Clara.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald McCleary in 1971, son, Ron McCleary, grandson, John Chilleo and a brother, Ray Rice.
Janet’s great-great grandparents, Henry and Elizabeth Rice were one of the five founding families of Harmony after the Harmonists left for Indiana.
If desired memorial donations may be made to the Food Cupboard, 557 Perry Highway, Harmony, PA 16037 or the Harmony Museum, P.O. Box 524, Harmony, PA 16037.
A Celebration of life will be held February 29, 2020, at Hartmann's Water Hole, Harmony Pa. From 12 to 3 p.m.
