Janet Swaim Burleigh

Janet Swaim Burleigh passed away in Denver, Colorado on October 23, 2020 at the age of 94 following a short illness. Janet was born in Bluffton, Indiana in 1926 to Celia Andrews Swaim and Roger Gorell Swaim. She was the older sister of Doris Swaim. Her parents and sister preceded her in death.

Janet’s happy childhood in Bluffton, Indiana was filled with and focused on music in the family home on Market Street, and was also centered around the small daily family newspaper business, The Bluffton News-Banner. Her father was the Publisher of the newspaper. She graduated from Bluffton High School in 1944 and went on to graduate from the Music School at DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, in 1948 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music.

While at DePauw, Janet joined Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She retained lifelong relationships and friendships with her Alpha Chi sisters and was active in the Denver area Alpha Chi alumni chapter. Janet was a voice major in college and was often asked to sing as a soloist in the weddings of many DePauw friends. Janet’s love of classical music, opera and musical theater, as well as films from the ‘30’s and ‘40’s, was shared with Jim and her children at every opportunity, including family attendance that Janet arranged at many concerts and performances.

Janet met her beloved and devoted husband of 60 years, James (Jim) Burleigh while attending DePauw. They were married in Bluffton, Indiana in 1949 and raised three children, Tim Burleigh (Sue), Kathy Burleigh Denny (Gordon) and Andy Burleigh (Joan). Janet, Jim and their children settled in the Denver area in 1963 where she embraced life in Colorado. She always enjoyed visits from out of state family and friends and loved showing her visitors around the state and city. Janet taught music at Salem, Indiana Elementary School for one year after college and for many years taught music to children at All Saints Episcopal and Applewood Methodist preschools in Denver. Jim Burleigh preceded Janet in death in 2010.

In addition to her three children, Janet is survived by her six grandchildren Katie Pete (Justin), Laura Quarterone (Jim), Erin Curtis (Steve), David Burleigh, Danny Burleigh (Courtney) and Roger Burleigh. Janet loved being around her grandchildren and, in her later years, was very proud and delighted to be the great grandmother of Carson Pete, Ellie Pete, Lucas Quarterone, Harper Quarterone, Elliot Curtis, Vivienne Curtis and Adeline Burleigh. She loved seeing all of them as much as possible and never tired of hearing about their lives.