Sister Mary Janice Hancock

Sister Mary Janice Hancock, PBVM, 79, died on Saturday, September 29, 2018, at Mount Loretto Motherhouse, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque IA.

Funeral Services will be Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Chapel, Sisters of the Presentation, with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Key West. Friends may call from 4:00-8:00 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 1018, at Sacred Heart Chapel, where there will be a vigil service at 7:00 pm.

Sister Janice, daughter of Freeman “Happy” and Doris (Meehan) Hancock, was born Mary Janice Hancock on September 11, 1939, in Dubuque IA. She entered the Sisters of the Presentation from Dubuque IA on September 8, 1957 and professed her perpetual vows on August 22, 1965.

She received her Bachelor of Arts from Clarke University, Dubuque IA in 1962 and immediately began her elementary school teaching career in Osage IA. She also taught in Waukon, Bankston, Humboldt, Sheldon, Resurrection and St. Columbkille in Dubuque, and Mason City, all in Iowa, and Oregon, IL, and St. Paul MN.

In addition to teaching, she coached girls’ volleyball, basketball and softball in Mason City and at St. Columbkille, Dubuque. In the Sioux City Diocese, she served as Regional Representative for the Sisters’ Council Southeast Deanery, and Corresponding Secretary, Vice-President and Northwest Deanery Representative. In 1991 she moved from teaching to business occupations of switchboard operator, receptionist, photo editor and administrative assistant for several local businesses; Robert's River Rides, Mercy Hospital, Wm C. Brown (Times Mirror, McGraw-Hill), Shepherd, Inc. in East Dubuque, IL, Mt. Loretto, and many service areas of Catholic Charities and the Diaconate program in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. She was pleased to be a volunteer for every Kairos program conducted by the Presentation Sisters, and she also helped pioneer the annual Mt. Loretto Garage Sale.

Retiring to Mt. Loretto in 2015, she celebrated her 60th Jubilee in 2017. The essence of Sister Janice can be summed up from a letter she received. “…Your beauty shines as we are touched by your compassion, your humor, your passion, your honesty. Dear, dear Janice, Loved by God. Go forth in love!”

Surviving is her twin brother, Jack and his wife, Gayle, sisters-in-law Jannan (Bill) Hancock, Janaan (Blaine) Hancock, Lois (Jim) Hancock, nieces, nephews, and the Sisters of the Presentation with whom she shared her life for 61 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Bill, Blaine, Calvin (Margaret), and Jim.

The Leonard Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of the Presentation, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque, IA 52001 or online at: www.dubuquepresentations.org.

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