Sister Janet M. Neider, SC in her 66th year of religious life

Sister Janet M. Neider, SC, Age 84, entered eternal life on March 24, 2023 at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Greensburg, in the 66^th year of religious life.

A Greensburg native, Sister Janet entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill from SS. Simon and Jude Parish in Blairsville in 1957.  Preceded in death by her parents, Bernard C. and Regina Gertrude (Ruffner) Neider, and a brother, Bernard C. Neider.  She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Regina (Eugene) Evans, and her religious community.

Sister Janet earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Seton Hill University, a master’s degree in reading and language arts from the University of Pittsburgh, and was certified by Pittsburgh Psychological Institute as a Play Therapist. She was the co-founder of the Saint Nicholas of Myra Child and Family Center, focused on treating and preventing emotional disorders in children, sponsored by the Catholic Social Service of the Tucson Diocese and Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Tucson, AZ.

Sister Janet was a staff member of the Education Department at Seton Hill University for five years. In 1976, her ministry began to focus on serving young children. She taught students in schools of the dioceses of Greensburg, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and the Archdiocese of Washington.  For ten years, she taught at the Elizabeth Seton Montessori School in Greensburg. She also ministered as assistant educational director of the Seton Hill Day Care Center.

During her longest tenure, from 1987 until 2004, she served as a credentialed psychoanalytic play therapist for children. She was then assigned as a tutor to secondary school residents at Roselia Center in Pittsburgh.

A creative writer, Sister Janet’s first publication, titled Songs of Sion, was a 40-year collection of poetry and prose.  Her second book, Sion’s Sympathy, a collection of essays and articles on prayer and spiritual life, as published in October 2002.

In 2005, Sister Janet moved to Caritas Christi and volunteered for many years before formally retiring. The Sisters of Charity are grateful to the nursing staff and employees for their dedicated care of Sister Janet.

Of her life as a Sister of Charity, Sister Janet reflected, “The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill is a community of women attuned to the needs of God’s people in each changing generation.  Direct service to the poor is what generates creative reaching out in my ministries these blessed years, especially to women and children in education, family assistance, prevention of child abuse, and support groups to divorced or separated.”

Rest in peace, Sister Janet, as you join with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and all the Company of Charity.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, March 26 at Caritas Christi Motherhouse, 129 DePaul Center Road, Greensburg, PA from 2 pm to 7:00 pm.  A prayer vigil with sharing of memories in the Chapel of Assumption will follow at 7:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 am on Monday, March 27.  Burial in the Sisters’ Cemetery will immediately follow mass. The funeral liturgy will be live-streamed, access through the link:  http://venue.streamspot.com/2af9eleb

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Charity, DePaul Center Road, 144 DePaul Center Road, Greensburg, PA 15601.  For more information visit the website, www.scsh.org