Janet Wirth

Janet Swider Wirth, of Colchester, passed away on October 3, 2025, with her family by her side after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born on February 6, 1952, in San Diego, CA. She moved to CT as a young girl and grew up in Hartford, where she graduated from high school and settled with family. She had her first daughter, Shannon in 1971, and later welcomed Carrie and Joseph. She was able to enjoy her first career of stay at home mom for several years before moving to Marlborough and later Lebanon and becoming a Direct Support Professional with the CT DDS. She cared for her group home clients like they were family for 20 years, supporting herself and her children, working third shift with love and devotion while putting herself through school to earn her associates degree and real estate license. She worked as a real estate agent for 20 years helping so many find their homes and kept many of those clients as friends.

She met David Wirth, the love of her life, at Piggys Cafe on January 18, 2002 at 6:18pm. They bought their house in Colchester together in 2006 where they welcomed family and friends on countless occasions. Janet and David were married on October 7, 2010 in the presence of their good friends the Reeds on their trip to Hawaii, to the surprise of their family and friends. They have shared many adventures and quiet moments together over the years.

She had a love of travel, visiting Jamaica many times, and everywhere from Hawaii, California, Florida and Utah in the states, to Israel and the Caribbean. She loved any opportunity for adventure, and lived a life full of joy and laughter. She shared that joy and laughter with so many and lifted up whoever she encountered when they needed it most. She had a generous heart and got so much joy from helping others. From giving sage advice, offering a hug, or a shoulder to cry on, providing tea, good food, or hunting down resources for them.

She was a devoted Catholic and communicant of St. Andrews Church. She was heavily involved in the Edge and Life Teen programs, tirelessly volunteering her time and energy to bettering the youth in the community. She also attended many Acts Retreats with her friends and made many more friends in the process. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with her church family, children and grandchildren. She also loved music, attending many concerts and she enjoyed dancing, especially with her husband David.

One of her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren, just watching them play together. She provided space in her home and many opportunities for family to enjoy time together and for her to enjoy witnessing it. She loved being there to celebrate their accomplishments, from flying to Florida for Meghan's high school graduation, watching Emily perform in the choir and the plays at the church, to watching Scarlett's cheerleading around the state, Bradley's acting debut and Logans soccer and baseball games.

Janet will be sadly missed but always remembered with love by her children, Shannon Harmon of New London, Carrie Dinunzio and her husband Joseph of Cromwell; and Joseph Swider and his wife Courtney of New Milford and her adored grandchildren, Meghan, Emily, Scarlett, Bradley, and Logan. She is also survived by her brother, David Harmon of Newington; and her sister, Linda Burnett of Valencia, CA; as well as many extended family members and friends.

A visitation to receive friends and family will be held on Tuesday, October 7th from 4-6pm at the Aurora McCarthy Funeral Home in Colchester. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Andrews Church in Colchester on Wednesday, October 8th at 11am. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at give.bcrf.org To write a condolence or share a memory of Janet with the family, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com