Sister Janice Marie, MSC (Janice Elizabeth Yust)
1952 – 2021
Sister Janice was born in Philadelphia and grew up in a warm and loving family with her younger sister Darlene. She first met our Sisters when she attended Little Flower High School. Her desire to enter our community grew quickly and she was received as a postulant in January 1971. When asked why she wanted to be an MSC Sister, Janice replied: “I want to dedicate my whole being to God, to grow in His love, and to bring this love to others.”
After her First Profession Sr. Janice began the studies that would prepare her for a life of service to the sick and suffering, especially those who are on their final journey to God. Sr. Janice received a degree as a Registered Nurse from St. Joseph School of Nursing and then continued her education at Villanova University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. During those years she worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in Norristown and Mercy Medical Center, Philadelphia. Sr. Janice also received a Master’s Degree in Nursing at Gwynedd Mercy University with a specialty in Oncology.
In 1994 Sr. Janice began working for Holy Redeemer Health System as a visiting hospice nurse. She traveled every day throughout Philadelphia, often in poor and sometimes dangerous areas of the city, to reach her patients and offer them compassionate care. Sr. Janice was passionate about her ministry of care and service. She was totally dedicated to her patients and committed to providing them with the best medical treatment and any comfort measures to improve their quality of life. During this time of the Covid pandemic Sr. Janice continued to care for her patients while taking the necessary safety precautions. She would not let anything, including a world-wide pandemic, deter her from offering comfort and care to her patients. She was truly “the Heart of God” for them and one of “the Heroes” of this pandemic.
Before she entered our community, Sr. Janice was asked if she had any hobbies. She replied: “Yes, music and dancing.” Her love of music was a great gift to our community. She played the guitar and for several years led our Sisters’ choir and prepared the music for many special occasions.
Sr. Janice worked a full day last Thursday caring for her patients. Sr. Anne Kane, who lived with her, said that she came home very tired that evening and was looking forward to a good night’s rest. She died early Friday. Our loving God called her home to rest for all eternity. For Janice, singing and dancing will surely be part of her Heavenly reward.