Janet Alice Paynter

Janet Alice Paynter

An Angel on Earth

This is a chronicle of the one sweetest spirits that lightened earth. Janet was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 6, 1931 in the heart of the depression. She was the third and last daughter to her parents, Frank and Elsie Trushinski. Her dad would joke that is how she came to have her name, “Das is Alice” which means, “last”. They could afford no more children. She is survived by her beloved sister Margaret. Who is her older sister but not by very much, according to Margaret.

Janet met, fell in love with and married Howard Lager Paynter in high school. They started their family in Wisconsin, with the birth of their daughter, Pamela Dawn Wright.

She graduated from Nathan Hale High School in West Allis, Wisconsin. Janet worked in various clerical jobs to help her husband through his education at the University of Wisconsin.

During Janet’s 30 year career she was a para-professional for high special needs students in Englewood and Littleton school districts south of Denver, Colorado. A park bench in front of Franklin Elementary school honors Janet’s contribution to the school district, engraved with a plaque, “Janet Paynter – an angel among us”.

Howard L. Paynter, Janet’s husband was a highly awarded engineer working in aeronautics and the NASA programs. He retired as a professor at Metro State University. He passed away January 6th, 2015. They had three children, all college graduates. Pamela Dawn Wright is their oldest, a retired teacher and lives near Balfour. Howard Jon Paynter their oldest son lives in San Ramon, California and is a real estate development executive. David Ray Paynter their youngest son is a retired teacher in Parker, Colorado. They are happily married and have produced seven grandchildren, three grandsons, and four granddaughters, all college graduates. They enriched Janet’s family in turn with six darling great grandchildren, five girls and one boy.

Janet loved sports (she had to, she was married to Howard, she had no choice); The Rockies, The Nuggets, Wisconsin Football, CU football and the Air Force Academy and had season tickets for many. She loved the arts; attending The Denver Symphony, and the Denver Center of Performing Arts every season. They loved animals and supported the Denver Dumb Friends League’s events. In fact, the question could be raised, “Did they love their dogs and cats more, or their children?”  The answer truthfully was as much as they loved their children the critters won. Every animal lucky enough to find its way into their found a small slice of heaven, met with absolutely unconditional love.

Janet and her husband traveled extensively during his internal work. Travels included European cities in England, France, Belgium, Ireland, Switzerland and Germany. In addition; they traveled to Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.  As she saw history unfold in China, Janet said, “(we) actually were witness to the Tiananmen Square Tragedy”. They were present at the Square and then were quickly directed by the government officials to Shanghai during their visit to help bring clean water into their cities.  For relaxation they enjoyed Arizona Spring Baseball camps and Hawaii for the warmth and water.

Janet Alice entered this world gently a product of love.  Her core throughout her life was her unwavering ability to give her love unselfishly without limit and, forgiving every flaw of anyone she touched. Throughout her life she gave generously and freely of her sparkling smile and love. It carried her through an amazing life. She left her family and friends just as unselfishly and gently Tuesday morning, August 26th at 1:13 A.M., at home in her own bed, with her beloved dog, Annie with her sweet health care companion Cindy with her dog Jersey by her side. Somehow, in consideration of her love for animals it seemed fitting to have the dogs there.

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