Woodbury, CT

Janice L. Swainbank, 71, of Woodbury passed away peacefully at home on May 15, 2025 after a courageous 34 year battle with cancer. Born in New Haven, CT on August 20, 1953, Jan was the middle daughter of Robert and Frances (Rundstrom) Schwab.

Jan grew up in idyllic Southbury in the 1950's and 60's. She also always talked fondly about riding her beloved bike around town as a child. She attended and graduated from Region 15 schools where she played basketball and worked as a lifeguard at the town pool during the summer. She was also a camp counselor and swimming instructor at Camp Mataucha in Watertown. She attended Western Connecticut State University where she was a part of the fencing team and where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in education.

Jan had a variety of career pursuits, including working as a bank teller at Wachovia, as a substitute teacher, and as a police dispatcher in Woodbury. But her greatest pride was in being a stay at home mother for eleven years while her children were young. She was a loving and caring mother to her kids and a devoted wife and friend to her husband. She went back to work as a resource aide at Rochambeau Middle School, retiring in 2018. She found enjoyment in helping students with special needs.

She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Chris Swainbank, her daughter Jessica Swainbank-Cummings and her husband, Luke Cummings, and her granddaughters Vivienne and Sylvie Cummings of New Albany, Ohio. She is also survived by her son Matthew Swainbank, his wife Summer Swainbank and granddaughter Sage Swainbank, of Asheville, NC. Jan is also survived by her two sisters, Margaret Nordby and Brenda Cooke.

Jan's family would like to extend their  heartfelt appreciation to the doctors, nurses and  staff at the Harold Leever Center and Waterbury Hospital for the exceptional care provided to Jan  through the years.

A private memorial service for family and close friends will be held at the discretion of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests the donation of time visiting and helping those who are less fortunate.