Lasting Memories
Joanne Janssen
Oct. 28, 1927-March 9, 2015
Villa Park, California
Submitted by Lisa Magnuson
The Janssen family sadly announces the passing of Joanne Seidel Janssen on Monday, March 9, 2015, from complications due to Alzheimer?s disease. Joanne was 87.
A resident of Menlo Park, CA, for over 40 years, Joanne relocated in her later years to Eugene, Oregon, and finally Southern California to be closer to her children and grandchildren.
Joanne was born in Berkeley, CA, on October 28, 1927, to parents Vaughn and Mildred Seidel. Her father, Vaughn D. Seidel, served as Superintendent of the Alameda County School District and was the leading pioneer in founding the first public education television station in the United States, KQED/Oakland. Joanne was immensely proud of her father?s accomplishments.
Joanne attended Berkeley High, where she graduated a California Scholarship Federation Sealbearer, then continued her education at UC Berkeley from 1944-46. While at CAL, Joanne was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, where she made lifelong friends and learned the importance of philanthropy and its ability to make a positive difference in one's community.
Joanne married Arthur D. Janssen, Jr. in September 1947 (divorced July, 1971) and the newlyweds settled in Atherton, CA. Determined to finish college, Joanne graduated from Stanford University (B.A., Economics) in June 1954.
In 1973, Joanne was hired by Hewlett Packard?s Data Processing Department and enjoyed a successful 25-year career there.
Her five children ? Dean Janssen, Dwight Janssen, Linda Mirch, Lisa Magnuson and Jody O?Donnell ? survive Joanne, as do her 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Joanne was preceded in death by her beloved brother, William Gordon Seidel, Lt. Col., USAF, Ret. Bill served in the Air Force for 22 years, culminating in his final assignment as former President L.B. Johnson?s private pilot.
Those who knew Joanne will fondly recall her passion for tennis, cycling, a good mystery, crossword puzzles and cheering on her favorite sports teams ? the Oakland Raiders (she attended three victorious Super Bowls with the Raider Rooters) and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Joanne was an energetic, vivacious person full of life and love for her family and friends.
Nov. 6, 2015
Hi Janssen Family - I don't know if this will get to you or not but I figured I would give it a shot. Your mother was a dear friend of mine during our years at Hewlett Packard together. We worked together in the corporate data center. She was such a joy to me. We took a liking to each other right away, despite a few years difference and my fondest memories of working at HP are the times we spent together. She was a lovely, spirited woman whom I admired greatly. Her pride and joy was her family and spoke of all of you often. We lost touch when we both moved away but I think of her often, especially around her birthday. I just happened to be in a waiting room today that had a picture that she used to have hanging in her condominium in Menlo Park. I googled her and was saddened to see the news that she had passed away. Please know my thoughts are with all of you and that your mother was a very special woman. I am proud to say she was my friend. ~Andrea