Janet M. (Rafferty) Hartigan

Janet Mary Hartigan, a longtime Merchantville and then Ocean City, NJ resident, passed away on July 8, 2025, at the age of 84. Born on December 9, 1940, in Philadelphia, PA, Janet's life was a testament of living her her Catholic faith, kindness, and the strength of family love. 

Janet was the cherished wife of the late Joseph “Joe/Great Joe”  Francis Hartigan. She was a devoted daughter to her late parents, William “Bill” and Elizabeth "Betty" Rafferty, and a loving sister to her late siblings William “Billy” Rafferty, Edward “Eddie” Rafferty, Elizabeth "Betty" Rafferty, Mary Jane "Marie/Ri Ri" Gledhill, Francis “Franny” Rafferty, and her surviving sister Patricia “Patsy” Zackey. Janet was a beloved sister-in-law to Patricia “Pat” Rafferty and to the late Doris Rafferty, Claire Rafferty, William “Bill” Zackey, Joseph “Joe” and Loretta “Geri” Beatty, John “Jack” and Mary Hartigan, Theresa and Harry Ferrell. 

Janet's legacy is carried on by her adoring son, Sean Patrick Hartigan, and her grandchildren, Colin Joseph Hartigan and his wife Kelsy Cowan Hartigan, Ian Mathers Hartigan, Shannon Mary Hartigan, and Caitlyn Elizabeth Hartigan, who were the center of her universe. The recent addition of her great-grandson, Kieran James Hartigan, brought her immeasurable joy in her final months as GiGi (Great Grandmother). 

Her professional life was marked by a successful career in several industries including banking, engineering, healthcare, and the casino entertainment, where she most recently served as an executive secretary. Janet's work ethic and dedication were matched only by her warmth and generosity, making her a respected and trusted figure among her colleagues. 

Janet's life was rich with loving relationships, including her godchildren, Janet Mary Rafferty and William “Billy” Gledhill, and her best friends Joanie Robinson Cermack, Patricia Rafferty, Maureen Simpson, Dot Tortella, Mary Coyle, Lois Picknally and Loretta Bianco. Time recently spent with her sister Pat, and her daughters Donna, and Liz was pure joy, and she loved, respected and enjoyed the company of ALL of her beautiful nieces and nephews and their loved ones on both the Rafferty and Hartigan sides of her big, tight-knit and fun family that she lived for. 

A woman of deep faith, Janet's loving and generous nature touched all who knew her. She found her greatest pleasure in the company of her son, grandchildren and their loves, and great-grandson, cherishing every moment spent with them. Her life really was a reflection of her values: love, kindness, and faith. She took these values very seriously and worked every day to serve as an example of Jesus’ teachings, but she also had a silly sense of humor and was loved for her great laugh and funny “isms”. 

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Friday evening from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Gaskill-Brown Funeral Home, 33 West Maple Avenue, Merchantville. And again Saturday morning from 9 am to 9:45 am. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 am at St. Peter RC Church, 43 West Maple Avenue, Merchantville, NJ. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Cherry Hill. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Our House Ministries in Philadelphia (ourhouseministries.org/donate) and/or St. Peter RC Church.

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