Janet "Jan" Richardson Arst

Janet « Jan » Richardson Arst passed away peacefully at her home in Baton Rouge on Sunday, October 20, 2024. Born July 14, 1953 in Ruston, Louisiana, Jan graduated from Ruston High School and Louisiana State University with a degree in Art History.

She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and St. James Episcopal Church. During the 1980s and ‘90s Mrs. Arst was proprietor of The Tabletop Shop near Bocage, helping local brides and homemakers with interior decor and fine collectibles. A lifelong lover of antiques and historic preservation, Mrs. Arst dedicated countless volunteer hours to projects with the Junior League of Baton Rouge, LSU Museum of Art (Anglo-American Art Museum,) and Magnolia Mound Plantation. Her first love was her family and time spent with them here in Louisiana, in Monteagle, Tennessee during summer vacations, and in New York.

Mrs. Arst was preceded in death by her parents, Camille and J.W. Richardson and her sister Margaret Hardaway. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Sanford Alan Arst; two children, Margaret Rose « Meg » Arst, and Simon Chapman Arst; as well as one grandchild, Colt Michael Fisher.

The family wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Arst’s longtime caregiver and friend, Margie Lonett, as well as to her physicians Dr. Jeffrey Kahn at The Baton Rouge Clinic and Dr. Samir Patel at The Neuromedical Center. Visitation will be held at St. James Episcopal Church on Thursday, October 24 from 9:00 a.m. until religious services at 10:30. Burial will follow in Ruston, Louisiana. Memorial gifts in Mrs. Arst’s honor may be made to The Emerge Center, St. James Episcopal Church, or the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers. Arrangements are being handled by Rabenhorst Funeral Home, Government Street.