Reverend Janet Anita Rawlins passed away July 5, 2021, surrounded by family, at home in Trinidad. Janet was born November 9, 1935 in Kansas City, KS, eldest of two daughters, to Burr and Gladys Rawlins. She was a 1953 graduate of Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, and attended Pittsburg State Teachers College in Pittsburg, KS.
After living in Belleville, KS, she lived for many years in Hebron, NE, where she earned her private pilot’s license, participated in community theater, was active as a bookkeeper in local businesses, was a Girl Scout and 4-H leader, taught Sunday school, and volunteered for her children’s schools and PTA. With her family, she came to Trinidad in 1973. She served as Administrative Director of the Fishers Peak Treatment Center. Later, Janet worked for many years as a bookkeeper for the Dixon Waller accounting firm, where she managed the Raton office. Community involvements included theater, the Summer Musical program and serving as secretary/treasurer of the Trinidad Country Club for many years. Following years of seminary education, she was ordained as one of the state’s first female priests by the Episcopalian Archdiocese of Colorado in 1986. She was assigned as the Vicar of Trinity Episcopal Church, where she became the longest serving Vicar in that Church’s history, retiring when the Church closed in 2008. During her tenure she was involved in the Trinidad Ministerial Alliance, and went on to serve as interim pastor at Zion Lutheran Church for two years.
Janet was an accomplished Bridge player, having been introduced to the game in college. She played her entire adult life in several clubs, playing regularly up until 2020. She loved being challenged by the game and constantly sought improvement. She was also a collector of everything owl, a talented painter and an avid reader.
Her home was always the foundation of her family’s gatherings and never lacked for activity. She was a diversely interesting person, accomplished much in her lifetime, and made an impact on us all.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents. Her survivors include her children Jeff (Peggy) Cotter, Leslie Cotter, Brian (Jeanie) Cotter, Claudia (Hauch) Trujillo and Chris (Sandi) Cotter; her grandchildren, Courtney (Andy Gansmoe) Cotter, Patrick Cotter, Hilary Cotter, Gary (Amanda) Rivas, Kristina (Matt) Zuniga, Greg (Gina Mantelli) Rivas; Ashley (Holden Hanson) Cotter, Josh (Bonnie Carnesecca) Cotter; great grandchildren, Alyssa and Gavin Rivas and Aiden Rivas; her sister Marilyn Murray as well as 3 nephews, 1 niece and numerous other relatives.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Monday, July 12, at the Comi Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 510 Pine Street, at 10 am on Tuesday, July 13th. Interment will follow in the Masonic Cemetery in Trinidad.
Online condolences at DavisMortuary.com
