Obituary of Mary Janzen

Mary Janzen of St. Catharines, Ontario passed away peacefully on January 3, 2022 in Heidehof Long Term Care Home. She was 93 years old.

Mary is preceded in death by her loving husband of 45 years, Abe, brothers Peter and Jacob, and sisters Liese and Agatha. She is survived by her children, Len (Laurie) Janzen of St. Catharines, Susie (Pieter) Niemeyer of Stouffville, and Rich (Jen) Janzen of Waterloo, eight grandchildren (Caleb, Samara, Elise, Hannah, Katie, Sennet, Kai, Ephram), sisters Kaethe, Susie, Margaret, and sister-in-law Hedy.

Mary was born in the Mennonite colony of Friedensfeldt, Shumanowka, Russia to Peter and Agatha Durksen on May 10, 1928. Fleeing Soviet oppression, she and her family made the daring escape into Manchuria, China before being relocated to the Paraguayan Mennonite colony of Fernheim and later Friesland where she was raised. As a young adult she emigrated with her family to Canada’s Niagara region and studied to be a nursing assistant. She married Abe Janzen in 1962 and moved to farm in Manitoba where she gave birth to her three children. Returning to St. Catharines in 1969, she worked, volunteered, and later lived at Tabor Manor for over 40 years. She was an active member at neighbouring Scott St. Mennonite Brethren Church and faithfully volunteered at Mennonite Central Committee’s local second-hand store.  

A funeral service will be held at Scott St. Church (339 Scott St., St. Catharines) on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 1:00pm with Reverend Dr. Rob Patterson officiating and COVID protocols being followed. An online option will be made available at www.scottstchurch.ca (Click Watch Live). Note that a musical prelude by family members will begin at 12:15pm. Burial will take place prior at Victoria Lawn Cemetery, 432 Queenston St., St. Catharines at 10:30am. 

Memorial donations may be made to Camp Crossroads, 1224 E Bay Rd, Torrance, ON P0C 1M0. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Mary’s sisters Susie and Margaret for the loving support they provided that allowed Mom to remain home as long as she did. The family also greatly appreciates the care provided by Heidehof staff.