Paula Marjory Janssen

Paula Marjory Janssen entered the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on January 19, 2024. Paula was born on June 8, 1940, in Yakima, WA to Peter and Marian Calderon. She grew up in Yakima and graduated from Davis High School in 1958. She then attended BYU for two years before moving back home to Yakima.

It was in 1960 that Paula went on a blind date and met the love of her life, Dick Janssen. It was love at first sight and they were married on December 9, 1960. They shared sixty years of life together before Dick succumbed to Parkinson’s disease in July 2022.

Paula kept busy raising their two children, Elizabeth & Chris, volunteering at various non-profit organizations, chauffeuring kids to sports practices and attending all their kids’ sporting events, as well as helping to keep an eye on all the neighborhood children.

They moved to Spokane in 1983 and Paula did work at several different part time jobs. Purchase of the cabin on Lake Coeur d’Alene in 1987 changed her summer life and gave them a beautiful place to entertain their friends and host family gatherings. There were many nights at the cabin where Paula entertained the grandchildren with her complaints at Dick for his cold feet and hogging the bed covers.

Paula loved to cook, trying out new recipes. She was “famous” for all her hors d’eurves that she made for their annual Christmas party for neighbors, friends and family.

After Dick retired, they bought a small home in Mesa, Arizona, and Paula loved spending the cold Spokane winters soaking up the sunshine, making pottery and hanging out with their new group of Arizona friends.

Paula is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Lee (Tim) and a son, Chris Janssen (Nanette). She had five grandchildren, Cory Janssen, Kyle Janssen, Rebecca Lee, Gil Lee (Kiara), and Anna Regan (Ryan). Paula also had four great grandchildren, Logan & Vivienne Janssen, and Gideon & Remington Lee.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 1:00pm, at Sun City Church in Spokane Valley.