PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ellen L. (Drake) Janssen, 81, of Montvue Street, Pittsfield, died Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Berkshire Medical Center.

Born in Pittsfield on December 22, 1935, the daughter of Lawrence A. and Helen Dapper Drake, she was a 1953 graduate of Pittsfield High School.

Mrs. Janssen was a homemaker. Prior to her marriage, she worked at Campus Girl and at General Electric Company as a Mail Girl. After raising her family, she returned to the workforce as a secretary at Kay-Bee Toys, Berkshire Life Insurance Company, and General Electric Company (becoming Lockheed Martin) from where she retired as an administrator. 

Following her retirement, she did temporary work in the Pittsfield Public Schools and in the Medical Records Department at Berkshire Medical Center.

Mrs. Janssen was a member of Pilgrim Memorial Church, where she was very active on committees and church functions. 

Ellen loved spending time with her family and friends, country music, and vacationing in Maine. She was kind, thoughtful, and giving with a wonderful sense of humor. She always helped those in need with words of encouragement and support. She will be greatly missed.

Her husband, Richard T. Janssen Sr., whom she married on July 21, 1956, died January 14, 2012. 

Mrs. Janssen is survived by her son, Lawrence K. Janssen of Pittsfield; Donna M. Janssen and her companion, Joseph Parise, and Coralie E. Barsalow and her husband, David, of Albany, N.Y.; four grandchildren, Eric V. Bentz, Jr., Aaron M. Bentz, Alden R. Bentz, Lindsay L. Janssen; six great-grandchildren, Levi M. Bentz, Rachael M. Bentz, Nathan R. Bentz, and Lucas T. Bentz, and Merritt Boibeaux Jr. and Mason Boibeaux; her daughter-in-law, Alice Janssen of Pittsfield; and Carolyn Janssen, whom she thought of as a daughter. 

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Ellen (Drake) Janssen will be held Monday, June 26, 2017, at noon at Dery Funeral Home with Lay Leader Gregg Goerlach of Pilgrim Memorial Church officiating. Burial will follow in Pittsfield Cemetery. 

Calling hours will precede the service beginning at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pilgrim Memorial Church in care of the Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield.