Janet (Donaldson) Harpster, 82, Formerly of Philipsburg, PA, passed away peacefully in Naples, FL, Monday, February 3, 2025. She was born July 31,1942, in the Monongahela Memorial Hospital in New Eagle, Washington County, PA. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Helen (Devore) Donaldson.
Janet was raised in Thomas, PA. She was a graduate of Monongahela Area High School class of 1960. She furthered her education at Point Park Junior College in Pittsburgh, PA, obtaining a degree in secretarial engineering. After college, she worked for Columbia Gas in Pittsburgh. Soon after starting work, she met her future sister-in-law, Glenda Lee (Harpster) Shearer, who introduced Janet to her brother, Winston. After a whirlwind courtship, they married and settled in Philipsburg, PA.
As a beloved wife and mother, she devoted her life to raising her family and managing the household. She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, crafting, Penn State Football games and tailgating. In her spare time, she enjoyed tennis, exercise class at the YMCA, and playing bridge.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Philipsburg, the Moshannon Valley YMCA, and the ladies NOP Club of Philipsburg.
Her greatest joy in life was spending time with family and friends, especially when surrounded by her children and grandchildren. While she loved living in the small town of Philipsburg, she traveled the world. Her favorite trips were to Ireland, Africa, and the Cayman Islands. She wintered in Crystal River, FL for many years and retired in O’Brien, FL, before making her way to Naples, FL, where she resided since 2013. She was a truly fun and interesting person and will be missed by everyone who had the opportunity to know her.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents, brother William (Beetsie) Donaldson, granddaughter Taylor Ann Harpster, former husband J. Winston Harpster, and companion Nicholas Tepsic.
She is survived by her four children: John W. Harpster, Jr. and wife Bobbi of Philipsburg, PA, Jody (Harpster) Czap and husband Michael of York, PA, Robert L. Harpster and wife Melissa of Naples, FL, Douglas W. Harpster of Philipsburg, PA, and sister-in-law Judy Donaldson of McMurray, PA, and her daughter, Erica (Donaldson) Dipyatic and her husband Michael of Cranberry Township, PA. She is survived by eight beloved grandchildren: Anthony Czap and wife Callie, Zachary Czap, Macy (Harpster) Neideigh and husband Aaron, John W. Harpster III, Savannah Harpster, Olivia Harpster, LeiLani Harpster, and Oliver Harpster. There are also several cousins and many nieces and nephews.
There will be no services or visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Taylor Harpster T-Harp Memorial Scholarship Fund would be greatly appreciated. Contributions by check made payable to Clearfield County Charitable Foundation with T-Harp Scholarship Fund noted on the memo line and sent to Clearfield County Charitable Foundation, PO Box 1442, Clearfield, PA 16830. Or online donations may be made at www.clearfieldcharitablefoundation.org/make-a-donation-to-a-scholarship-fund , then scroll down and click the blue button “Donate to Taylor Harpster T-Harp Memorial Scholarship Fund”.