November 22nd 2024.
As donations poured in on Janet Lowry's GoFundMe page, the true impact of her life became clear, even as she neared the end of her journey. What started as a few hundred donations quickly grew to over 400, totaling almost $100,000 in support of Janet and her husband, Andy Lowry, the beloved football coach at Columbine High School. Janet had been battling cancer for the past seven years, mostly in private, and the outpouring of support from the community was a testament to the impact she had on so many people.
One of Janet's longtime friends, Monica Kellogg, recalled that Janet had expressed a wish to be able to pay it forward like the generous donors on her GoFundMe page. But in reality, it was the community paying back the love and kindness that Janet had shown to them over the years. Janet passed away on November 15 at the age of 54, leaving behind a legacy that resonated throughout Jefferson County.
In 2017, Janet was first diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. Two years later, she received the devastating news that the cancer had spread to her bones. Despite undergoing multiple rounds of chemotherapy and enduring countless hospital stays, Janet remained resilient and fought with all her might. On her birthday this year, doctors told her she had only two months to live. She entered hospice care at home and ended up living double the amount of time they had predicted - a precious gift for the Lowry family.
Andy Lowry, Janet's husband, shared that those four months were some of the happiest he had seen her in years. They made a pact to not just survive, but to truly live in the time they had left together. The Lowrys took trips to their favorite vacation spot, Glenwood Springs, and Janet even planned a special getaway to celebrate their daughter Katlyn's 21st birthday. During the final regular-season game for the Columbine Rebels, both teams and their fans wore teal in honor of Janet's courageous battle against metastatic cancer. It was a moment that went beyond football, as the athletic director and assistant football coach, Derek Holliday, shared.
Former Pomona coach and current Legacy head coach, Jay Madden, summed it up perfectly when he said, "The Lowrys are Columbine." The overwhelming support for the family in Janet's final days was a testament to the impact that the Lowrys had on the community. Former player and business owner, Dusty Hoffschneider, donated $25,000 to the GoFundMe page, and a total of 426 donations were made from near and far.
Janet, a Wheat Ridge alum, came from a family of coaches and teachers and had a magnetic personality. She was not only a cheerleading coach at Columbine but also worked as a caterer, event planner, and family and consumer science teacher at Chatfield for seven years. Her infectious laugh, sharp wit, and creative side made her a beloved teacher and friend. Even during her battle with cancer, she showed up to work with energy and enthusiasm, making learning fun for her students. Her compassion extended beyond the classroom and into her personal life, as her co-teacher, Sidne Allen, shared.
Janet was also a dedicated friend, aunt, and mother to her children, Katlyn and Thomas. She had a talent for making people feel special and loved, whether it was through her homemade birthday cards or personalized gifts. As Kellogg put it, "She could make anyone feel like the Queen of England." Janet's presence will be sorely missed by all who knew her, but her memory and impact will live on in the hearts of those she touched.
Janet Lowry was the beloved wife of Columbine football coach Andy Lowry. As her GoFundMe page began to grow, it became clear just how much of an impact she had on the lives of those around her. What started as a few hundred donations quickly turned into thousands, and the total amount raised was just under $100,000. This overwhelming show of support was a testament to the love and admiration that people had for Janet and Andy, especially as Janet's life was coming to an end after a seven-year battle with cancer.
While Janet's fight had mostly been kept private, her friends and community came together to show their love and support in her final days. Longtime friend Monica Kellogg remembers Janet saying how she wished she could pay it forward like the people who had donated to her. But in reality, it was the community paying it back to her.
Janet passed away at the age of 54 on November 15, leaving behind a legacy that resonated throughout Jefferson County. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, and after a double mastectomy, she found out two years later that the cancer had spread to her bones. Despite enduring intravenous chemotherapy and multiple hospital stays, Janet remained strong and fought until the very end. On her birthday this year, doctors told her she only had two months to live. But she defied their expectations and ended up living for four more months, much to the joy of her family.
According to Andy Lowry, Janet's husband, those last four months were some of the happiest he had seen her in years. They took trips to their favorite vacation spot and celebrated their daughter Katlyn's 21st birthday with a getaway to Blackhawk. In November, the Rebels' football game against Chatfield became a special event as both teams and their fans wore teal to support Janet's battle against cancer. It was a moment that transcended football and showed just how much Janet meant to the community.
As former Pomona coach and current Legacy head coach Jay Madden said, "The Lowrys are Columbine." And the outpouring of support for the family in Janet's final days only further proved this statement. Former player Dusty Hoffschneider, who played on Columbine's first two state title teams, donated $25,000 to the GoFundMe page through his business. In total, over 426 donations were made from all over.
Janet was a 1988 graduate of Wheat Ridge High School and came from a family of coaches and teachers. She was a cheerleading coach at Columbine and a family and consumer science teacher at Chatfield for seven years. Her magnetic personality, infectious laugh, and sharp wit made her a beloved figure in the community. Despite undergoing chemotherapy, she still showed up to work with energy and enthusiasm, making learning fun for her students.
But Janet's impact went beyond the classroom. She was a dedicated friend, aunt, and mom to her two children. She went above and beyond to make her loved ones feel special, whether it was by making eight-foot-tall birthday cards or creating mini-scrapbooks. Her kindness and generosity knew no bounds, and she will always be remembered for her selflessness and love for others.
Janet Lowry may have lost her battle with cancer, but her legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched. She will forever be the matriarch of Columbine football and a cherished member of the Jefferson County community. As her friend Sidne Allen said, "Anyone in need knew they could come to her and she would take care of people." Janet Lowry was a true angel on earth, and she will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.
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