Bernardine Ida Janssen, Deena to all who know her, 77, of Oak Harbor, WA, passed away on January 30, 2025. Deena was born on February 22nd, 1947, to Della and Dennis Hale, in Hood River, OR. Her mom was a war bride from Edinburgh, Scotland, who married a US soldier and moved to the US. She was the second of four girls born to the couple. Her family moved to Tracy, CA where she grew up and graduated from Tracy High School in 1965.
She met her soulmate, Charles Janssen, while at a dance on the Treasure Island Naval Base near San Francisco, CA, in 1967. He was on his way to get a beer with only 25 cents in his pocket. He never got that beer. He and Deena walked Fisherman’s Wharf until the wee hours of the morning. Six months later, they eloped to Carson City, NV. The whole wedding cost $34, all the money they had. Nothing went according to plan that day, and they arrived at their honeymoon place so late that Deena’s uncle had rented the other two cabins he reserved for them. Their whole wedding party stayed in one cabin where the only bathroom went through the only bedroom.
Like rain on a wedding day, this must have been good luck for the young couple. It was the beginning of a 57-year love affair that yielded two children born in San Francisco, Meri and Martin. Much like the Navy promised, the young family saw the world. They lived in the Bay Area multiple times, Japan, New Jersey, San Diego and finally Oak Harbor, WA where they stayed after Charle’s retirement from the Navy in 1986.
Deena spent her working life employed by the Navy. In San Diego and in Oak Harbor, she worked for the Naval childcare center. She was known for her hospitality, generosity and being a good friend. She was welcoming to anyone who needed a place to go to or someone to listen.
She loved spending time playing games with friends, crocheting blankets for friends, washcloths for her daughter and daughter-in-law (who will miss them terribly). She attended Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene, where you could aways find her every time the doors were open, surrounded by her many adopted grandchildren that her own children didn’t give her. They spent many hours there volunteering their time. She was always behind the scenes helping wherever she could. She and their current pastor provided such solace for each other as they braced themselves for the new mischief Charlie would get into with Lisa, the pastor’s wife, and roll their eyes together as they both protested the declaration that they were angels. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Deena is survived by her husband Charles Janssen, her two children, Meri Janssen-Bond and husband Easom, and Martin Janssen and wife Brandi. Survivors include two sisters, Leslie Pace and husband Tony, and Denise Paine, Charlie’s three siblings, Viola, Margaret, and Richard, and many nieces and nephews who loved her.
A Memorial Service will be held at Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene, 1100 W. Whidbey Ave., Saturday, February 8, 2025, 11:00 AM. Memorials are suggested to the Special Olympics. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.
