Janet Lynne Diehl Corwin

Janet Lynne Diehl Corwin was born on May 29, 1950 in Kansas City, KS to Barbara and Maurice Diehl. She passed away on April 20, 2024.

Janet attended the University of Kansas from 1968 to 1973, earning a bachelor’s degree in K-12 Music Education. While at KU, she met Dean Corwin when she had the good fortune of needing a tutor for music theory. They married in 1970 and had two sons: David in 1978 and Daniel in 1981. Janet and Dean lived in numerous cities during their 34 year marriage, but Janet was a Kansas girl through and through. She was delighted when Dean’s position at Washburn University brought them to Topeka in 1996. They divorced in 2004 and Dean preceded Janet in death in 2018.

Janet served as the accompanist in the vocal music department at Topeka High from 1996 to 2004, providing surrogate mom services to many an anxious madrigal during her tenure. She also taught piano lessons to neighborhood kids, sharing her love of music with the next generation. In 2004, she accepted a position as the executive assistant to the Dean of the School of Music at KU which she held until she retired in 2016. Her impeccable organization skills kept the School of Music running smooth as a trombone slide. In retirement, she was active in the church choir and quilting group at First United Methodist in Topeka. She knitted countless stocking caps for various charitable causes, and many babies have been comforted by a Corwin quilt. She grew roses and had a prolific vegetable garden, sharing the bounty with neighbors and her local family.

Janet earned numerous personal and professional accolades throughout her life (her quilts were never less than a blue ribbon at the Douglas County Fair!) but being Dave and Dan’s mom and later Nana to her five grandchildren was the crowning joy. She was their dedicated documentarian, fastidiously archiving concert programs and artwork, letters and photos. She was a wellspring of steadfast support for Dave and Dan through life’s inevitable ups and downs; her pride and love for her two sons was evident. Her continuous encouragement and gentle presence will be greatly missed.

Janet is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her children, David (Lexi) Corwin of Fargo, ND; Danny (Mandy) Corwin of Topeka; 5 grandchildren: Ella, Jaiden, Elise, Charlie, and Miles, her brother, Jim Diehl of Topeka, and her cat, Fancy.

Janet will be warmly remembered for her musicianship (piano, clarinet, voice, and handbells), her love of knitting, quilting, and Christmas, her baking (whatever will we do without her pecan pie?), but most of all for the abiding love she had for her family. Dave and Dan and their families wish to extend deepest gratitude to friends and family for the help and care we have been shown during this time of sorrow.

Memorial Service to be held May 31, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 600 SW Topeka Boulevard, Topeka, KS, 66603. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the American Cancer Society or the KU School of Music.

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