Sandra Catherine (Mulrennan) Jansen

Sandra Catherine (Mulrennan) Jansen of Springdale, known to her friends and family as "Sandra, Sandy, Mom and Nonnie," went to be with our heavenly Father Feb, 25, 2015. She was born Aug. 9, 1939 in Pensacola, Fla. to John and Catherine Mulrennan. With a heart of gold, she was a strong willed woman who could leave you crying mad or laughing out loud. A single mom, she worked hard to complete her college education while juggling two kids in school. With a heart to care for others, she eventually graduated from the University of Arkansas with her BS in Nursing. Her career path led her to Washington Regional Medical Center where she worked in virtually every area of the hospital from the ER to Pediatrics. Working countless "hospital hours" 3-11, 11-7 etc, she was determined her children always had a hot meal regardless of her work schedule. She was without doubt the queen of the crock pot. She retired from Washington Regional Medical Center in 2007. With a drive to compete and a passion for life, she stayed active by participating in several Senior Olympics where she won gold medals on multiple occasions. Her biggest joy in life was spending time with friends and family. After retirement she enjoyed traveling to countries she'd never been. Always ready for a new adventure, her friends and family were always invited for the next journey. The very nature that led her to nursing also carried over to her interests. She was a friend to all animals. She rescued countless dogs and cats. Feeding strays and nursing them to health or paying to have them fixed and vaccinated. The joke around our house, she kept the veterinarian in business. For the neighbors who didn't know her, she was likely referred to as the "cat lady". When she wasn't feeding animals and caring for them, she loved tending to her plants and garden. She spent a great deal of time with her rose garden. Her yard and roses were always immaculate and she took great pride in being a green thumb who could bring just about anything her family could kill back to life again. Diagnosed with cancer in Feb. 2011, she found herself in what may have been the battle of her life. "I'm going to beat this", she would say repeatedly. And she did repeatedly until God finally called her home. After being diagnosed she found comfort in helping others and volunteered a great deal of her time to Highlands Oncology. Her own personal battle with cancer allowed her an understanding most can't comprehend. A family once told us, "your mom was so encouraging to our daughter, and her good natured spirit was always comforting to us." She lived her life as she saw fit and on her terms. Never looking back, just looking ahead. She will be missed dearly by many. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Netherton and husband Mike of Springdale; her son, Mike Jansen and wife Dena of Springdale; her grandchildren, Cameron, Nicole and Haley Netherton, Brandon, and Lindsay Jansen; her siblings, John Mulrennan and Annie Marie McCarthy of Jacksonville Fla., Pat Mulrennan of Rome Ga. She is pre-deceased by her sister, Martha Sharon; parents, John and Catherine Mulrennan; and a countless number of pets. A memorial service will be held at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale, Ark. on March 3 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made at www.spayarkansas.org. John 14:1-4; Jesus Comforts His Disciples; "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.