Janet Marie Brunton

Janet Marie Brunton, 78, of Leavenworth, Kansas, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 19, 2024. She was born on July 30, 1946, in Coffeyville, Kansas to the late William and Evelyn Bullard. Jan was a talented artist, celebrated for her stunning paintings, intricate sewing, and exquisite knitting, including costumes for the Kansas Ballet Company's Nutcracker performances. Her home was a vibrant display of her creative spirit. Jan studied chemistry at Washburn University, and always enjoyed a good talk about organic molecules. Jan wrote grants for the YWCA to provide funding for battered women. Her fingers knew well the timings of Beethoven's Für Elise. She recreated hundreds of recipes from her subscription to Bon Appétit. Jan read a ton of books, and she became your instant friend if you had read one of them. She sang opera with her sisters and damaged the hearing of anyone within the range of a quarter mile. Jan liked a man with a beard and made space for two of them in her life. She came from a big family, and she started a big family, and she achieved her life's central goal: experiencing the deep and abiding love of her family. As a devoted mother of five—Kara, Erin Bess, Bryan, Terra, and Marlee—Jan nurtured and guided her family with endless support and pride. Her grandchildren—Liahm, Satchel, Sasha, Sophia, Peyton, Rose, George, Vanya, Isaac, Alena, and Charlee—cherished her warmth and creativity, carrying forward her legacy of kindness and passion. Jan is survived by her children; Kara Brunton of Peculiar, Missouri, Erin Bess Brunton Pennington (Joseph) of Topeka, Kansas, Bryan Brunton of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Terra Brunton (Doug Byers) of Lawrence, Kansas, Marlee Brunton (Nathan Quinn) of Middlesex, Vermont; eleven grandchildren; and ten siblings. Jan was preceded in death by her husband of thirty-two years, Michael Brunton; her parents, William and Evelyn; her sisters, Theresa Lewis and Sarah Moorehead; and her brother, John Bullard. A celebration of Jan’s life will be 2 p.m. Friday, December 27, 2024, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Friends and family are invited to share memories and honor her remarkable life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society and sent in care of the funeral home. Jan's artistic legacy, culinary talents, love for meaningful conversations, and boundless affection for her family will forever remain in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, and all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” – Thomas Merton Condolences may be sent online at ww.kevinbrennanfamily.com

Janet Marie Brunton

July 30, 1946 - December 19, 2024