Sister Janet Mish OP

Mish, OP, Sister Janet of Grand Rapids (born Barbara Jean Mish in Muskegon, MI) died on December 9, 2019. She was 88 years old and a Dominican Sister for 68 years. Sister Janet earned a bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College and a Master’s in Education from Wayne State University. Sister Janet ministered as a teacher at St. Joseph’s School, East Tawas; St. Alphonsus, Grand Rapids; St. Francis, Traverse City; Mt. Carmel, Saginaw; St. Alfred, Taylor; St. Anthony, Grand Rapids; and Sacred Heart, Saginaw. She served eighteen years as principal at SS. Peter & Paul, Saginaw; St. Mary Magdalen, Melvindale; and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Grand Rapids. “I believe that love is the strongest force in the world and classrooms must be loaded with it,” wrote Sister Janet Mish after many years as teacher and principal. After her teaching career Sister Janet served for a year as a secretary for the Grand Rapids Diocesan Secretariat of Education and then for four years as Executive Secretary for the Congregation. Her next ministry was serving as the Associate Director of Aquinas College’s Emeritus College. In 2001, Sister Janet “retired” and worked at Marywood as information technology support volunteer for eighteen years. Sister Janet had the ability to relate well with children and adults, both in her professional life and her life in community. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, macramé, sewing, cooking, and playing cards. She had a wry sense of humor and loved relating anecdotes about her family as well as former students who delighted her with their comments on life. Sister Janet is survived by her brothers Joseph “Bud” (Elsie) Mish and Jerome “Butch” Mish of Muskegon, MI and her sister-in-law Joan Mish of Denver, CO; nieces, nephews, friends and Sisters in her Dominican Community. Sister Janet will repose at Dominican Chapel/Marywood, 2025 Fulton Street East, with visitation on Thursday, December 12 from 6:00-7:00 pm followed by a Remembering Service at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 13 at 11:00 am at Dominican Chapel /Marywood. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials in Sister Janet Mish’s name may be made to the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters.

Tributes

Sister Janet Mish OP

September 16, 1931 - December 9, 2019