Obituary of Janet Loraine Mitchell

Janet Loraine “Jan” Mitchell, of Centennial, CO, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2021, at the age of 88.

Janet was born on May 27, 1933, in Hastings, Nebraska, to James (Jim) and Bernice Abernathy Mitchell. She grew up in Orleans, NE, and attended Orleans Public Schools and Kearney State Teachers College where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and Art. She then went on to get her Master’s Degree in Counseling from University of Denver.

Jan began her career in Sydney, NE, teaching art and P.E. She then moved to Colorado and Continued her career in the Littleton Public Schools. From 1957-1964 she taught P.E. at Grant and Euclid Jr. High Schools. In 1964 Jan was a member of the charter staff who opened Arapahoe High School and that is where she spent the remainder of her career as a counselor, retiring in 1989. She never had children of her own, but considered each of her students as one of her own kids. She loved kids and loved helping them through their high school years.

Jan enjoyed cooking and made the best cinnamon rolls and stroganoff around. She loved to go to lunch with her niece and try new restaurants, but her favorite lunch outing was always to Pappadeaux. She was an avid golfer and later in life when she could not golf anymore, she loved to watch golf on TV, especially her favorite golfer Freddy Couples. A devout Colorado Rockies fan, Jan enjoyed sitting on her patio having a Scotch and watching her Rockies. Jan was an animal lover whether it be dogs, cats, birds, squirrels or the fox in her backyard.

Jan is survived by her brother Jim (Bernie) Mitchell of Bozeman, MT; sister Joyce (VT) Miller of Lincoln, NE; niece Andrea (Blane) Edwards and their children Keaton, Hannah and Logan; nephew Jim (Amy) Mitchell and their children Henry, Oliver and Maggie; nephews Tom (Judy) Miller; Brad (Kelly) Miller and their children Caith, Harper, Landon and Nicholas and Andy (Jill) Miller and their daughter Maren; amazing friends Nancy Harwood, Elveda Lund and Trina Davis of Centennial, CO and her “adopted” daughters Addison Welsh and Audrey Welsh (Kyle White) of Centennial, CO.

Jan’s glass was always overflowing with positivity. She always had a smile on her face and a kind word to share. She never met a stranger she didn’t like and loved to talk to anyone especially if they went to Arapahoe High School. She was a devoted sister, an amazing Aunt and a loving friend to many.

Jan was preceded in death by her dad and mom, James and Bernice Mitchell and her good friends Nickie Swift and Verna Wilborn.

Memorials may be made in Jan’s name to Arapahoe High School in Centennial, CO, or the Dumb Friends League.

A Celebration of Jan’s life will be held July 17, 2021 at 11:00am - 6996 S. Ogden Court, Centennial, CO 80122