Francisca Theresia Mittertreiner

Frances (Cisca) Theresia Mittertreiner Janssen died with medical assistance peacefully Monday, January 20, 2020 at the age of 84 in her room in the Purdy Pavilion, UBC Hospital, surrounded by family and friends. She was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer in November, and Cisca chose to take as much charge over the circumstances of her death as she was legally permitted. Dr. Jyothi Jayaraman delivered Cisca to God with gentleness and compassion.

Cisca was born in Zwolle, Overijssel in the Netherlands, one of twelve children born to Aloysius Antonius Janssen and Berendina Antonia Mensink. She is preceded in death by her child Pauline and by her siblings Ko Janssen, Annie Janssen, Evert Janssen (family Legebeke), Fritz Janssen, Mien Wessel Janssen (family Wessel), Jan Janssen (family Sloot), and Wil Janssen (Adri Plante). Cisca is survived by her husband Peter Mittertreiner, her children Bernice Mittertreiner Neal (Steve Neal), Tony Mittertreiner (Janice Eng), Pierre Mittertreiner, her siblings Truus van Breukelen Janssen (family van Breukelen), Wies Franken Janssen (Chris Franken), Riet Poiesz Janssen, and Mies van Gorselen Janssen (family van Gorselen), her grandchildren Gwen, Kevin, Em, Hilary, and Rachael, and her many nieces and nephews.

Cisca was a teacher, a painter, a violinist, and a scholar; she received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary in the mid-seventies. While she explored many philosophies and religions over the course of her life, she maintained the spiritual convictions and the commitment to God that she learned growing up in Zwolle.

Cisca took care to make her surroundings comfortable and beautiful for all those who lived in and entered her homes. She spent her final years in the comfort of the Purdy Pavilion Care Home. There, staff of every job description and family of fellow residents made her comfortable, happy, and secure. We who write this account of Cisca are grateful to all the members of the Purdy community.

May you rest in peace and love, Cisca.

Cisca’s son, Pierre, has lived for the past ten years in a group home operated by the John Howard Society of Canada. It has been a source of comfort to Cisca to know that Pierre was being cared for by compassionate and capable people. The family asks that you consider a donation to the John Howard Society of Canada to help them continue their important work. http://johnhoward.ca/about-us/organization/funding-sources/

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.