Deaconess Ann DeWolf Perry Janzen passed away on May 16 after a long and happy life. She was born February 3, 1926 to James DeWolf Perry II and Elizabeth Olivia Hamman Perry. After graduating from Queens College, Charlotte, NC, she attended Union Theological Seminary in New York, where she met her husband, Harry Wallace Janzen. They were married immediately after graduation and raised three children together in West Virginia.
Known for her joyful spirit and smiles, Ann dedicated her life to helping others. She was a Deaconess in the United Methodist Church while in West Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon and Alaska, where she was adopted into the Tlinget Tribe. Her mission work frequently involved travel to disaster-stricken areas of the United States and its territories. Among her many accomplishments, she was influential in establishing childcare as a priority in disaster response, starting in Buffalo Creek, West Virginia; reinstating the standing of a native American tribe in Klamath Falls, Oregon; and reestablishing a Methodist Church presence in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Ann and Harry received the Denman Award for mission work in 1991 to recognize their contributions. Her desire to help continued after her retirement when she volunteered at the Asheville Police Department and served on the board of directors for Saint Paul’s Church and the Brooks Howell Home. She continually approached life with a sense of laughter and was a force of nature when she felt something needed to be done to help others.
Ann was predeceased by her parents; her brother, James Perry; her husband, Harry Janzen; her son Christopher Janzen; and her great-grandson Miles Vick. She is survived by her daughter Leslie Wilson; her son, William Janzen; daughters-in-law Kristine Janzen Cahoon and Ginny Janzen; her three granddaughters, Justine Parkhurst, Michelle Elms and Laura Medina; and her great-grandson Daniel Elms. She will be missed by all who knew her.
A memorial service will be held on June 2 at 3:00 at the Brooks Howell Home at 266 Merrimon Avenue in Asheville.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to:
Please include “in memory of Ann Janzen” in the memo line of all checks.
