Janet Marie Sawaya Manuel (79) was born at Women’s Maternity Home in Delta, Colorado to George and Florence Sawaya. She grew up in Trinidad where she worked for her dad George at Sawaya’s Grocery on Commercial. She also worked part time at the Peak Drive-In on Main Street. At school she was co-editor of the Trinidad High School newspaper. Janet graduated from Trinidad High School in 1958. Her college education began at Butler University in Indianapolis. Then she attended Trinidad Junior College before moving on to Western State in Gunnison where she graduated with a degree in Business and Education in 1962. Next stop was a 30+ year teaching job in Las Vegas, Nevada and during her tenure she received her Masters of Education in Special Education from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). While on holiday in Germany, Janet met and eventually married Major Luther “Dutch” Manuel (USAF) and eventually gave birth to a daughter, Lorin S. Manuel. In 2001, Janet retired from the Las Vegas School District and moved to Mesa, Arizona to be closer to her daughter. She lived there for four years before deciding to return to Trinidad. She valiantly fought a battle with Multiple Sclerosis and dementia which necessitated her move to Trinidad Inn Nursing Home. On November 7, 2019 Janet lost her battle with MS. Janet is survived by her daughter Lorin S. Manuel and grandson Jace G. Manuel; sister Jean Daugherty Long (Ron Long); sister Sue Hamme (Curtis Hamme); brother Richard “Buz” Sawaya; sister-in-law Alice Sawaya; and numerous nieces and nephews. Janet will be missed but not forgotten. Janet was preceded in death by her parents George & Florence Sawaya and brother Robert “Bob” Sawaya.
Funeral will be held Tuesday June 22, 201 at 1pm at Comi Chapel.
Inurnment will follow at the Trinia Catholic Cemetery.
Arrangements made under the direction of the Comi Funeral Home.
