Jenny M. Jansen

Jenny M. Jansen, age 88, died peacefully surrounded by family on August 17, 2015. Jenny was born September 14, 1926, in Deming, WA, to Pete and Barbara Shaudney.

Jenny lived her formative years in rural Whatcom County, graduating from Mt. Baker High School in 1944. She shared many stories of life during the Depression and the Second World War, and always believed that one’s good character came from honest living and hard work. She went to work for Pacific Northwest Bell during the war years, handling sensitive and classified communications for the Army. She met and married Jack C. Perram in 1949 and they had two boys, Jack and Steve. She and Jack were later divorced. Jenny remarried Paul Jansen in 1967 and they were inseparable companions until her death.

Jenny loved fishing, clam digging, and the outdoor life in general. She was a gifted musician and had a flair for and love of jazz, especially traditional. She played the accordion and was known to show off her ability with rousing versions of Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumble Bee” and Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood”. She had a special gift for harmony, and always appreciated a good bass player.

Her parents and brother, Walt, preceded Jenny in death. She is survived by her husband Paul of the family home; sons Steve (Louise) and Jack (Yolanda), both of Bellingham, grandson Cody Perram of Bellingham, cousins Frances Fiamengo of CA, and Nick Fiamengo of VT, niece Barbara and great-grandson Ethan.

A funeral service will be held at Westford Funeral Home at 12 Noon on Monday, August 24. A reception will follow.

Memorials in Jenny’s name may be made to the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center.