Penny JANSEN

Pennycandy (Joseph) Jansen, May 10, 1950 – March 31, 2011. She passed away peacefully in her sleep in Lake Havasu City, she was 60 years young. She was surrounded my family and friends who loved her dearly. The dash between Pennycandy's birth and death dates was filled with love, family, laughter, friendship, travel, tragedy and triumphs.Pennycandy’s unusual name was the result of a baby naming discussion between her mother, Dorothy and her sister, Anne. Dorothy liked the names Penny and Candy, and then Anne created the name Pennycandy. Her clever name was always a great conversation starter and she used that to her advantage. Like her father Bernard, she never met a stranger. Years later, there was a book and a song written titled Pennycandy. As a child she was a member of the Girl Scout Organization and she tried to live by the Girl Scout motto, be prepared. She was shaped by her experiences and those early life lessons would serve as the foundation of her life ahead. She always had a plan A and a plan B. Whether you called her Pennycandy, PC, Pen, Penny or Pennelapuss, she lived life to the fullest as she often said, “There’s nothing left on my bucket list, I’ve seen and done it all.” When she was 13 years old she met Harold Wesley Jansen, as Harold was a friend of her brother, Jack. She was instantly smitten by his charm and good looks. Years later when Harold returned from military active duty, they began to date and eventually married. They were blessed with three amazing children. Tragically, Pennycandy became a widow at age 30 when Harold died in a skydiving accident. Pennycandy entered the workforce as a travel agent and worked up the ranks to become a manager for many large travel organizations. Travel afforded Pennycandy and her children the luxury to experience foreign countries and later for Pennycandy to travel all over the world. In 2000, Penny’s career changed when the Internet reshaped the way people booked travel. Pennycandy then became a licensed real estate agent in California. She enjoyed helping people find their dream home. She entered the mortgage industry first as a loan officer, next a loan processor and then as a loan underwriter earning distinguish certifications. In 2008, Penny moved to Lake Havasu City to be closer to her sisters and brothers. She helped her sister Debra and brother in law Carlos open their dental office in Lake Havasu. Once the office was up and running, it was time for her to return to the mortgage industry. She soon met Patti Woodward in Lake Havasu City, and she became her underwriter at Evergreen Financial. She was employed with Evergreen Financial at the time of death. Pennycandy was also known for her good nature and her witty sense of humor. Penny still loved to travel, she could be packed and ready to go with short notice; she also enjoyed researching her family genealogy, creating unique pieces of jewelry, writing fiction and memoir stories. Penny was a current member of the Lake Havasu City Writers Group (LHCWG) and the club’s secretary. Her short story April in Paris appeared in the 2010 edition of the LHCWG’s anthology, Offerings from the Oasis. Writing was a new passion for Pennycandy. Pennycandy was also a past board member of WNEA and a member of Soroptimist International. Pennycandy is survived by her children: Bridget, Brian, and Barry; seven grandchildren, Harold "Wes”, Martin "Matt", Jacob, Clara, Jarred, Eric, and Kayleigh; brothers, Jack, Raymond and Maurice; sisters, Anne, Jola, and Debra. Penny’s best friend was her cousin Sue. Penny was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; husband; and sister, Betty. Pennycandy’s wishes were that there would not be a traditional funeral, but she did like the idea of a gathering where family and friends would celebrate her life. On May 14th at 11:00 a.m. in Shugrue’s downstairs banquet room, we will honor her request. RSVP is needed and can be placed by email to her sister, Debra Ruiz at ladybalboa@yahoo.com by May 7th. Pennycandy wished that no one be saddened by her passing, just that we remember her only with fondness and be kind to one another. Memorial donations in Pennycandy’s name can be sent to Hospice of Havasu, P.O. Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405. Final arrangements were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home.