Janet Lorraine Mai

With a heart full of joy and a spirit that brightened every room, Janet Mai passed away peacefully on October 1, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love that touched the lives of everyone who knew her. Janet's unabashed delight at spending time with friends and family, or simply finding happiness and beauty in the world around her, set an example of unconditional love and hope for all of us.
Janet Lorraine Mai was born August 25, 1959, in Dallas, Texas, to Howard and Charlotte (Boxberger) Mai. Following Howard's discharge from the Army, the family moved to Denver in 1960, and later to Lakewood, Colorado. Janet attended Beacon Development Center for a program in early child development, Fletcher Miller Special School, and Weiland School. She enjoyed the academic and social development at these schools and was a cheerleader and Homecoming Queen at Weiland School. Following graduation, Janet enjoyed working for many years at the Thomas Learning Center, helping with the care of toddlers. Later, and until very recently, she enjoyed spending time with her teachers and friends at the Walters Day Program, sponsored by the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC) in Jefferson County, Colorado.
Church life was important to Janet and her family. As an infant, she received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in WaKeeney, Kansas. She was confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Denver, and most recently attended Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lakewood and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish in Northglenn, Colorado.
Janet was a very loyal Denver Broncos fan, whether they were winning or losing! She loved singing hymns and other favorite songs. She enjoyed bowling, swimming, watching Disney movies, and doing crafts. Her favorite activities involved other people, and Janet shared her love and joyful outlook on life with many friends and family throughout her life. She was very close to her grandparents in Kansas, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. In the last years of her life, she was blessed to have caretaker mom Deb Green and sister housemates Jennifer and Feeney. Her canine siblings throughout her life were Tia (who helped her overcome her fear of dogs), Kieri, Tiffany, and Snickers.
Janet will be greatly missed by her father, Howard Mai, of Lakewood, Colorado; her aunt, Betty Mai, of Topeka, Kansas; and many cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Charlotte Mai, in 2023; her grandparents, Emanuel and Lottie Boxberger of Hays, Kansas, and William and Amelia Mai of WaKeeney, Kansas; and several aunts and uncles: Emil (Sam) and Patty Mai, Clarence Mai, LeRoy and Myrna Mai, and Edith and Walter Mabry.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on October 16, 2024, at the WaKeeney City Cemetery, after which Janet will be laid to rest next to her mother and other family members. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Developmental Disabilities Resource Center at DDRC, Attn: Development Department, 11177 W 8th Ave, Lakewood, CO 80215 or Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church at 920 Kipling St, Lakewood, CO 80215.