Monday, August 18th, 2025
Sr. Berenice Janszen
Janszen, Sister Berenice, 99, died at St. Leonard on August 15, 2025, in Centerville, Ohio. She was born December 1925 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood, Dayton, Ohio, in 1943, receiving the religious name Sister Mary Edward. For 82 years, she faithfully served God, His people, and the Congregation.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Salem Heights Chapel, 4960 Salem Avenue, Dayton, Ohio, on August 19, 2025, with burial following in the Maria Anna Brunner Memorial Garden. Visitation begins in Chapel at 9 am with Sharing of Memories at 10 am followed by the Funeral Liturgy at 10:30 am.
Sister Berenice was the daughter of Edward and Lillian (Bossert) Janszen.
She began her ministry teaching in Missouri before receiving a B.A. in Education, English, and Latin. She continued teaching for over 20 years in Dayton, Norwood, and Celina, Ohio, and Flint, Michigan, where she was known for the high school plays and musicals she directed. Sister Berenice also served her Congregation several times as a Southern Region Councilor, Northern Region Councilor, and Director of the Office of Life Development.
After finishing her coursework in Clinical Pastoral Education, she began new ministries in parish administration, pastoral care, and as a chaplain in hospitals and hospices. She ministered in these capacities in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky for almost 25 years. In 2004, Sister Berenice retired and again served her Congregation as the Salem Heights librarian, a ministry she continued until 2020.
Sister Berenice joins her parents and other family members in heaven. She is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters, cousin Gary and Imelda Emenaker, many friends, former students, and colleagues. Her creative, outgoing spirit will be missed.
Online memories and condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerhazelsnider.com.
