Obituary of Janet R. Bangser

WESTPORT, CONN The Bangser family is saddened to announce the death of their mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Janet Bangser of Westport CT on June 4, 2022 at the age of don’t-even. Janet was an only-child, born in 1928 in New York City to Jules Rutstein, a dentist, and Esther Klar Rutstein, assistant to the producer at Radio City Music Hall. She attended Horace Mann School for Girls and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Literature from Brown University in 1949. Janet was a voracious reader; one of her first jobs was to write script synopses for MGM. International travel was a dominant theme throughout Janet’s life; she made countless overseas trips from an early age. After marrying William Bangser Jr. on Thanksgiving Day in 1952, they visited many countries on six continents including several extended stays in Europe with their four children. Janet and Bill made lifelong friends around the world. The family moved to Westport in 1961. When the “nest was empty”, Janet entered the travel industry initially as an agent for Minute Man Travel. In 1978, Janet formed Pathfinder’s Travel, a full-service travel agency in Westport. And for the next 40 years, Janet and her staff used their first-hand knowledge of travel destinations to serve the needs of both corporate and vacation travelers. Janet remained active in the business well into her ninth decade, while Janet and Bill continued their frequent travels, often with friends from Westport. Janet and Bill and their friends have been part of the fabric of Westport since the 1960’s, often active in the community. In addition to her business and raising four children, Janet served as the President of the local chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women. Janet was predeceased by Bill, her loving husband of 67 years, and she is survived by her four children and their families: Andrew and Barbara Bangser of Westport; Paul and Liz Bangser of Bethesda, Maryland; Jill and Jeff Boynton of Newington, New Hampshire; and Dan and Jennifer Bangser of Norwalk, as well as eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Rita Bangser of Somers, NY. The Bangser family will forever miss the devoted matriarch of their family, her intellect, her love of travel (and good wine!), her cooking, her eternally positive outlook, and her entrepreneurial spirit. After a private burial in Willowbrook Cemetery, Westport, the family plans to hold a memorial service in July. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Westport Library. The A.J. Collins Funeral Home of Norwalk is directing the arrangements.