Tatjana Janssen, 93, died May 3, 2004, at Island Hospital, Anacortes. She and her twin sister, Mayna (Maria), were born in Latvia Feb. 25, 1911, to Roman and Jule Venski. While living in Latvia, Tatjana and her sister were avid skiers and equestrians. Tatjana and her immediate family came to the U.S. after World War II. After living for some years in Kentucky, she moved to California.

She married Forrest W. Janssen in 1964 in Concord, Calif. Tatjana and her husband moved to Washington in 1969, residing first in Pullman, where they managed a mobile home park and rental units for college students. She was also a bookkeeper for a real estate officer. After retiring, Tatjana and her husband moved to Whidbey Island in 1979.

They owned and operated Mountain View Alternative Living with supportive care home, caring for elderly residents, including seniors suffering beginning and mid-stage dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The Janssens were greatly loved by those for whom they cared and their families.

Tatjana spoke seven languages and served as an interpreter on many occasions. She was also a great lover of animals, and over the years she adopted many cats and dogs that became her family.

Tatjana was preceded in death by her parents, Roman and Jule Venski, her sister Mayna Pelliccia, and her husband, Forrest. She is survived by her stepdaughter, Mary Lynn Russell, of Arnold, Calif., husband Darrell Russell and son Robert Dyer, also by her stepdaughter, Janet Ghirardelli, of Walnut Creek, Calif., and husband Robert Ghirardelli.

At Tatjana’s request there was no public memorial service. Her cremated remains will be placed beside those of her husband near Crescent City, Calif. Memorials may be made to Whidbey Animals Improvements Foundations (WAIF), 20168 Highway 20, Coupeville, WA 98239.