M. Janice Nelson, age 93, died on January 1, 2022, in Syracuse. Janice was born to Orrin G. and Mary Kovach Nelson on February 26, 1928, in Buffalo, NY, with the given name of Marjorie. She was a graduate from Sacred Heart Academy and entered the Sisters of St. Francis at Stella Niagara, NY, on September 2, 1945. Janice was awarded a BS in Elementary Education from Daemen College in Buffalo. She later earned an M. Ed. In Nursing Service Administration and an Ed. D. in Curriculum & Instruction from Teachers College, Columbia University, NYC. Janice taught elementary education for approximately 10 years in diocesan schools located in Buffalo, NY, and in Greenville, S.C. She earned a diploma in nursing from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Minot, N. Dakota. Janice served for 10 years as Director of Nursing at St. Ann’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Following a 3-year graduate faculty appointment at the School of Nursing, Adelphi University in Garden City, NY, Janice accepted the position of Assistant Administrator and Director of Nursing at University Hospital, Upstate Nursing Education Program at Upstate, and ultimately became Founding Dean and Professor of the College of Nursing on that campus. Throughout her career, Janice was active in a number of professional nursing organizations, including President of Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.; she was a contributing member of a number of governing boards of health care facilities, and was a Trustee of the Foundation of New York State Nurses, Inc. She served as the first woman and first nurse appointed by the Mayor to the Columbus (Ohio) Board of Health, and she served on the Task Force for Life and Law, established during the Cuomo administration for New York State. Janice was recipient of a number of professional awards including those of Distinguished Alumni from both Sacred Heart Academy and Daemen College. She received a Distinguished Achievement Award in Nursing Education from the Teachers College Nursing Education Alumni Association. She also received an award for Nursing Excellence, and a Life-Time Achievement Award from the Central Counties Professional Nurses Association, District #4, of the New York State Nurses Association. Janice was a charter member of the Teachers College Nursing Education Alumni Association Hall of Fame at Columbia University. She was also a proud recipient of the Driscoll Award from the Foundation of the NYS Nurses, Inc.

     The deceased is survived by her sister, Sister M. Joan Nelson, OSF, of Stella Niagara, NY, a number of nieces and nephews as well as a number of grand nieces and nephews, an aunt, Eleanor Kovach of Union, NJ, along with numerous friends she made over a lifetime, and, of course, her cat, Buddy.

     In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to nursing scholarships in the name of M. Janice Nelson at both the Upstate Foundation, Inc., at SUNY Upstate Medical University, or the Office of Institutional Advancement at Lemoyne College—both located in Syracuse, NY. Contributions may also be made to the Foundation of New York State Nurses, Inc., 2113 Western Avenue, Guilderland, NY, 12084-9559, or to Nurses Educational Funds, Inc., at 137 Montague St. Brooklyn, NY 11201.

     At her request, no services will be held. She asked that each of us remember her in our own way wherever we may be. Internment took place at St. Mary’s Mausoleum in Dewitt, NY.