MAISSEN, Janet

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Friday, April 9, 2010 Janet Maissen passed away at home on April 3, 2010, with her mother, sister and nephew at her side, as a result of endometrial cancer which metastasized to her liver. Born on Dec. 8, 1962, in Seattle, Wash., to Jake and Margie Maissen, her family moved to Arizona soon after - first to Scottsdale for nine years, then Prescott. She attended Dexter Elementary, Prescott Junior High School and Prescott High. She began playing violin at Dexter with the school orchestra, and continued to play through high school. Janet then attended Yavapai College, earning an Associate of Arts degree, followed by Arizona State University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Education. She later earned her Master's degree from Prescott College then served as a mentor to other master's degree candidates. After returning to Prescott from ASU, Janet worked at the Yavapai College library, then was hired as a teacher at YC. She began instructing at Yavapai College in the theatre department in 1991, and later became a certified Tai Chi Chih instructor, which she also taught at YC and the Prescott YMCA. She continued to teach Tai Chi Chih at YC until a week before her death. Janet was most proud of the various aspects of her teaching career, especially her time spent as a theatre instructor at Tri-City Prep High School. She felt it was a privilege and joy to go to work there. Janet was also most proud of the play she directed as part of her master's degree thesis at Prescott College. It included a cast of her close friends and family members and was a true life-changing experience for all involved. Janet was a lifelong learner who studied German and French, with a trip to Europe being a highlight of her life. Her love of travel was shared with friends and family members through many trips she planned. Her goal was to visit all 50 of the states, and at her death she had been to all but 12. Another travel highlight was when she took her nephew Luke to Hawaii as his high school graduation gift. Janet had many other pursuits, which she shared with her close friends, including dancing with the Lynx Creek Cloggers and playing in the Summer Pops Orchestra. Janet was highly involved in all aspects of theatre, especially with the Prescott Fine Arts Association, where she performed in numerous plays and musicals, directed, and designed lights. She also wrote and performed in historical material with the Prescott Stage Company at Sharlot Hall Museum. Janet was a longtime member of the PFA Chamber Singers, and co-founder of the singing group, Madrigals. Janet's life-long love of music was especially evident when she played ragtime on the piano, and sang Andrews Sisters Big Band-style songs. Though Janet experienced many difficult times during the last year of her life, her sense of humor never failed her. This was most evident when she would make jokes sitting in her hospital bed and have the doctors and nurses laughing, and this past holiday season when she was re-writing the lyrics to popular Christmas carols making the words fit her loss of hair. Janet never gave up hope, never passed up a chance to laugh and attributed her ability to carry on to the many friends and caring people who supported and encouraged her. Her family sends their appreciation and love to all who contributed in making Janet's struggle easier. Janet is preceded in death by her beloved grandmother Mimi Carlson and her father Jake Maissen, both of whom participated in Janet's theatrical pursuits as costumer and set builder respectively, as well as shared her life as only family can. Janet is survived by her mother Margie, who especially acted as Janet's caregiver during her last few months as only a mom can; her sister Jean, with whom she shared her love of theatre, attended ASU, team-taught classes, and spent countless hours creating childhood memories; and her special nephew Luke, with whom she shared a love of computer gaming and travel; and finally, her many beloved friends with whom she shared life, love and laughter. A Celebration of Life is planned and will be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Prescott Fine Arts Association's Family Youth Theatre Program, 208 N. Marina, Prescott, AZ 86301. Log onto www.ruffnerwakelin.com to view and sign Janet's guestbook. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Information provided by survivors.