In Loving Memory of Janet Marie Sawaya Manuel

May 17, 1940 – November 7, 2019
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.
Janet will be cremated and the family will hold a celebration of her life in Spring 2020.