San Bernardino, CA

Janet Lucille Leavitt (formerly Zavela, née Barton), 82, of San Bernardino, California, died peacefully at her home on October 8, 2024. She was born August 9, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio, daughter of the late Dorothy and Eddie Barton. She was the beloved mother of Yvonne Brinton (Michael) of San Bernardino; April Auberry Zavela (Lester Auberry) of San Bernardino; Vance Zavela (Jean Schiro-Zavela) of McLean, Virginia; and Lance Zavela (Ann) of Burbank, California. She is also survived by her brother Arthur Barton of Cary, North Carolina; eight grandchildren; and four great-granddaughters. She was predeceased by her brother Edward Barton and sister Beverly Hammer. While raising four children, she obtained an Associates of Science Degree in Nursing at San Bernardino Valley College in 1972. She served as a Licensed Professional Nurse at San Bernardino Community Hospital and St. Bernardine’s Hospital in San Bernardino, and then Redington-Fairview Hospital and Cedar Ridge Center in Skowhegan, Maine. Jan enjoyed painting and drawing as well as horses and Dodgers baseball. A private family gathering will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian (P.O. Box 23473, Washington, D.C. 20026-3473), Desert Botanical Garden (1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008) or a charity of the donor’s choice.