Janet Scarbrough knew everyone in Atlanta. At least, that was her reputation at Atlanta Magazine, where she worked as an account executive for 17 years. Colleagues describe Scarbrough as someone who connected instantly with everyone she met and forged lasting friendships along the way.
“She could turn anyone into a friend, it was just a skill she had,” said Marita Kahler, who was Scarbrough’s supervisor at Atlanta Magazine. “And it wasn’t forced. It was just her personality. She loved getting to know people. And she certainly knew a lot of people.
“I was always amazed that during a work day, she would tell me the names and birthdays of her clients, their children and dogs and so much more,” she added.
Her husband of 45 years, Stephen, said his wife developed “sudden friendships” with people she had just met and often knitted and crocheted gifts for them.
“We would go into a restaurant, and if the waitress at our table was pregnant, Jan would immediately ask if a boy or girl was expected and tell the waitress she was going to knit something for her,” he said. “And she followed through. She made blankets, caps, christening gowns, all created by hand and with love. And she made gifts for old and new friends alike. I think everyone she knew had something Jan made for them or their children.”
Janet Mindlin Scarbrough of Roswell, 70, died of lung cancer on July 12. She was born to Stanley and Joan Mindlin in Kansas City, Mo., on May 10, 1946. She attended the University of Kentucky and University of Missouri at Kansas City. Scarbrough later moved to Atlanta, where she was an advertising account executive for the Atlanta Jewish Times for several years. She then held similar positions at now-defunct Peachtree Magazine before accepting a position at Atlanta Magazine. During her tenure there, Scarbrough won numerous sales award including the magazine’s highest honor, the Chairman’s Club Award, in 2008, 2015 and 2016.
Stephen Scarbrough said his wife attributed her success in sales to strong relationships.
“She just naturally became lasting friends with clients and countless other people throughout the city. She was truly a ‘people person,’” he said.
Scarbrough “gave her heart” to volunteer activities in the Roswell community, said Julian Tomesh, past president of the Roswell Woman’s Club where Scarbrough was a longtime member and served on numerous committees.
“You got 100 percent of Jan with whatever she was doing, whether it was committee work or fundraising or helping others around her,” Tomesh said. “There wasn’t a business in town that didn’t know her and work with her on community-focused activities.”
She also remembered Scarbrough’s kindness, recalling that when her granddaughter was born two months prematurely, Scarbrough knitted a tiny outfit for her to wear.
“She was so thoughtful, always, always thinking of others and what she could to help them or make them smile,” Tomesh said.
In addition to her husband, Scarbrough is survived by her mother, Joan Mindlin, 95, of Overland Park, Kan.; daughter Julie Mallcott of Avon, Ohio; sons Mark, of Atlanta, and Daniel, of Roswell; brother Harold Mindlin of Austin., Texas; sister Barbara Kovacs of Overland Park; six grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces..
A celebration of life service for Scarbrough is planned for Aug. 5 in Roswell. The family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
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