Ann S. Janzen

Ann Schwarz Janzen of Peabody, Massachusetts passed away on July 5th, 2017 at the age of 101. Known for her love of her late husband Arnold and family, compassion and caring for others, love of music, the outdoors, gardening, exercise and cooking, her gracious smile will be missed by all. Ann was born May 18th, 1916 in New York, New York to Nicholas and Antonia Schwarz, who were Hungarian immigrants. She resided on Manhattan's East Side and spoke German until entering the NYC public school system. At the age of 8, the family moved to the College Point section of Queens where there were still farms and open space. While in elementary school, Ann was introduced to Girl Scouts, which became a lifelong passion. After completing 8th grade at P.S. 27, she attended the Manhattan Trade School for Girls to learn sewing so that she could help the family during the depression. She went on to become a seamstress and accomplished dressmaker at Bergdorf Goodman. During the summers, Ann worked as Girl Scout Camp counselor at Camp Andrea, NY and Camp Runnels, NH. Desiring a different career, she trained to be a radiological technician at New York Hospital/Cornell Medical center, then took a position at Yale New Haven hospital, where she started a radiological technician program and, more importantly, met her husband to be and the great love of her life, Arnold Janzen. Girl Scouting fostered her love of nature and outdoor activities. Hiking, skiing and swimming gave her, Arnold and her children a great outlet and healthy appetites, which she would quench with tasty and adventurous cooking. Ann and Arnold raised their children in Avon, CT and while Ann stopped working professionally, she continued to give back through the Hartford Hospital Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, Girl Scouts and other organizations. Seeking warmer climes, they moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL where they enjoyed the beach and golf, and from where they indulged their passion for travel. They made a yearly Fall drive to New England to see the autumnal colors, hike the White Mts. and visit children and grandchildren. In 2009, Ann & Arnold moved to Peabody, MA to be closer to family. Here she continued to play her piano, go the fitness center and greet her neighbors with smile and a compliment. Ann is survived by her son, Peter Janzen and wife Betsy and grandsons Lucas and Tyler; daughter Donna Petrie and husband Randy and granddaughter Elizabeth Fuqua and husband Joshua and great-granddaughter Victoria; granddaughter Kim and great-granddaughter Sweeney; grandson Nicholas and wife Lisa and great-granddaughter Annelise; grandsons Joseph and Seth; son Daniel and wife Beth and grandson Danny and great-grandson Grayson; and grandsons Matthew and Sam, along with many extended family and friends. She was a mother to all. The Celebration of Life has been postponed until further notice. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Campership Fund (http://www.gsema.org/).