Emily R. Jansen

Emily was born May 29, 1923 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was the daughter of Emily Hiltz and Matthew Regan. Emily's mother died of tuberculosis in 1925 so Emily was raised by her father with help from her aunt and uncle, Rose and Vince Hiltz, and grew up in Covington, Kentucky. Her childhood included summer visits to her father's family farm which developed a life-long love of animals, food and her Irish heritage.

Emily graduated from LaSalette Academy in Covington and after the death of her father attended and graduated with a degree in English from Villa Madonna College, now Thomas Moore University. She first worked for the children's library in her town and then for the community relations department at General Mills answering letters as Betty Crocker.

In 1946, Emily met Joseph Jansen on a blind date. He swept her off her feet and after 40 dates, they married on April 12, 1947. This began Emily's adventure as a military spouse which had her move 18 times in 24 years, including a tour in Berlin during the Airlift in 1948 and Hong Kong in the early 1960s. Their Berlin story was later featured in the article, “The Human Side of the Berlin Airlift” in the December 1998 issue of Retired Officer magazine. In each of their moves, Emily jumped into the community and became involved with local groups supporting the military, their church, the blind community, and the local schools. She and Joseph raised six children during this time as well.

Joseph and Emily made a more permanent home in Alexandria, Virginia in 1966. Here Emily continued her volunteer activities devoting 25 years to Fairfax County Public Schools in the libraries of Waynewood Elementary and Fort Hunt and West Potomac High Schools. She was also active at the Fort Belvoir Catholic community in the women's club, choir and alter linen guild.

Following the death of her husband, Emily moved to The Fairfax retirement community. Here again, she jumped into the community becoming involved in the Catholic community there, as well as the chorus, water aerobics and book group.

Emily was a continuous student, always reading and learning. She played piano and took organ lessons. She loved needlepoint and completed many projects until her eyesight failed her. She loved dogs, raising four throughout her life and enjoying visits from therapy dogs near the end of her life. She enjoyed traveling, especially the beach, and was able to revisit every place she had lived. She loved people and most of all, her family. Family time in the Outer Banks was most precious.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by son Mark (2013). She is survived by children Joseph (Linda) of Valencia, PA, Paul (Melissa) of Ellenton, FL, Tom (Carol) of Trophy Club, TX, Bob (Anne) of McLean, VA and Anne Wardinski (Paul) of Burke, VA as well as her grand-children Brandon (Karen), Michael, Caitlyn, Regan, Cate and Lisa.

Family will host a reception Sunday, October 18 from 3-4 pm at the Community Center at The Fairfax, 9140 Belvoir Woods Pkwy, Fort Belvoir, VA. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 19, 10 am at Woodlawn Chapel, 1801 Wright Road, Building 1801, Fort Belvoir, VA, with burial at Arlington National Cemetery at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Emily’s memory to Fairfax Library Foundation and please designate the gift to Access Services, Talking Books Program.