Janet Irene Baird

Janet Irene Baird was born on December 13, 1932 in Denver to Lucille and Calvin Coates. She was a true Colorado native, and the first of her family to live and travel overseas. Although her parents came from large families, she was an only child. She was an excellent student and graduated from South High School in the top tier of her class. She also attended the University of Colorado in Boulder where she earned her degree in Accounting in 1954 as one of the only women in her class.

In addition to her academic achievements, she was active in her AOπ sorority. She married her college sweetheart on August 14, 1954. They were married for almost twenty years. Following college, she moved to Vermillion, South Dakota and worked as an accountant for a meat packing plant while her husband was in medical school. They later moved to Tacoma, Washington where Janet continued her work as an accountant. In 1957, the Army transferred them to Nuremberg, Germany as a result of the Berlin Crisis. Despite the political climate and the distance from home, she often described her time in Germany as her happiest as she gave birth to both her sons while living in Nuremberg and was able to enjoy sightseeing in neighboring countries. The family returned to Tacoma in 1961. Three years later they relocated to the Denver area where she lived for the remainder of her life.

She was active in the PTA, was a Cub Scout Den Mother, an avid bridge player, a trivia and crossword puzzle expert as well as a picky homework checker! A proud parent, Janet took great satisfaction in her sons' accomplishments. Her oldest son is an anesthesiologist and her younger son is an attorney, both practicing in Colorado. She worked as an accountant with Provident Life Insurance for several years before retiring to her mountain home along with her canine companions that she loved, pampered and tended to overfeed a bit.

Janet enjoyed reading, listening to current events and relished the solitude of her quiet surroundings, the whisperings of the aspens, the brushings of the pines, observing deer and elk and occasionally scaring away her black bear visitors.

Janet is survived by her sons, Bruce Baird and Kevin Baird; daughter-in-laws, Susan Baird and Carrie Baird, grandchildren Andrew, Michael, Taylor, Kyle and Jason Baird.

A memorial gathering and celebration of Janet's life will be held at the residence of her son Kevin at 11:30 on Sunday, Nov 9th, 2014

Donations may be made to the Dumb Friends League Janet Baird Memorial Fund at http://support.ddfl.org/goto/JanetBaird.