Janice H. Edelstein

News story
By Mike Sigov
Blade staff writer

Janice H. Edelstein, a longtime Toledo nurse who was passionate about feminism, died Oct. 4 in her Sylvania home. She was 91.

She died of apparent heart failure, her daughter Ann Kisin said.

Mrs. Edelstein retired in the early 2000s after about 20 years with Toledo Medical Services.

"She was very hard working and very dedicated to nursing and a woman's right to choose. She strongly believed in a woman's right to choose her health care plan," her daughter said.

Over the years, Mrs. Edelstein also donated to Planned Parenthood.

"She was a feminist," the daughter said. "She was ahead of her time. She was a strong woman who cared deeply about her politics."

Born March 9, 1931, in Cincinnati to Thelma and Meyer Heines, Mrs. Edelstein was a 1948 Walnut Hills High School of Cincinnati graduate.

She then attended Ohio State University for a couple of years and before leaving college at age 19 in 1950 to marry Myron Edelstein, a Toledo business owner.

After the marriage ceremony, the newlyweds moved to Joliet, Ill., where Mr. Edelstein attended laundry school. His studies prepared him for work at a family business, Toledo Towel Supply Co. Mr. Edelstein was vice president of the company when it merged with Pheasant Linen in 1962 and became the area's largest linen supply company. Mr. Edelstein eventually became president of the firm.

After settling in Toledo, the Edelsteins brought up two children together. Mr. Edelstein died in 2012 and Mrs. Edelstein "had missed him every day ever since," the daughter said.

Having brought up her children, Mrs. Edelstein got an associate degree in nursing from Owens Community College in the early 1980s and was hired by Toledo Medical Services.

In her free time, she enjoyed traveling with her husband overseas, taking walks in Wildwood Preserve Metropark, and gardening.

Mrs. Edelstein was a member of the Temple Shomer Emunim.

Her other memberships included Toledo Museum of Art and Toledo Symphony.

She was also an avid fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by a son and a brother.

Surviving are her daughter Ann Kisin and sister Sue DuCovna.

Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Eagle Point Cemetery, Rossford.

The family suggests tributes to Myron Edelstein Fund at Toledo Jewish Family Services or Planned Parenthood.

Arrangements are by the Robert H. Wick/Wisniewski Funeral Home.