Obituary of Sister Janice Elizabeth O'Neil, CSJ

Sister Janice Elizabeth O’Neil (Sister Elizabeth Michael), 89, died Wednesday, October 24, 2018, in St. Peter’s Hospital, Albany. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 66 years.

Sister Janice was born on August 6, 1929, in Saranac Lake, NY, daughter of the late John and Isabel Primeau O’Neil. After graduating from St. Bernard’s Elementary School and Saranac Lake High School, she attended The College of Saint Rose and received a bachelor’s degree in French in 1951. On March 19, 1952, Sister Janice entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Troy, NY, and professed final vows on August 15, 1959. She subsequently received a master’s degree in French from The College of Saint Rose and served for 50 years as teacher and librarian in schools in the Albany and Syracuse Dioceses, including over three decades at St. Frances de Sales School in Herkimer. Sister Janice retired to St. Joseph’s Provincial House in 2004.

Sister Janice was a faith-filled woman whose warm and welcoming spirit was a gift to all with whom she came in contact. A genuine “people person,” she was blessed with a beautiful smile, a keen sense of humor and a genuine interest in each individual who crossed her path. Sister Janice’s life was very much about relationships: with her loving God, with her dear family, with her Sisters in community and with her many dear friends and colleagues. She enjoyed the playfulness and simplicity of the school children as well as quiet, encouraging conversations with the elderly, and in both situations, her compassionate nature and her great strength of mind and heart enabled her to brighten the lives of many. In her later years, Sister Janice’s peace-filled acceptance of her prolonged illness and inability to walk defined her and bespoke the beauty of a life well-steeped in the love of God and well-lived in service to others.

Sister Janice is survived by her beloved sister, Myrna O’Neil, of Ogdensburg; her sister-in-law, Chloe Ann O’Neil, of Parishville; her niece, Beth Rice (Steve); her nephew, John O’Neil (Meg), and their families; many dear cousins and friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In addition to her parents, Sister Janice was predeceased by her brother, John G. O’Neil; and by a dear family friend, Samuel Cavallario.

Sister Janice’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 30, at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel of St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham, NY. Calling hours will be held at the Provincial House on Monday, October 29, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Contributions in Sister Janice’s memory may be made to the Development Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110.

Please express your condolences by using the green "Add Condolence" tab below.