Janice Helen "Kennelly" Goetz

Janice Helen Goetz (nee Kennelly), 89, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026. Preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, John. Cherished mother of Lynn McClain (Bruce), Donna Sadler (Matt), Gary Goetz (Kim), Shari Waple, and Susie Farrenholz (Scott). Preceded in death by her brother Edmond Kennelly and sister Jean Logan. Loving sister to Trudy Mayor and Mary Ann Martineau. Fun "Nani" to Christina Hassel, Dana Baird, Katelyn Goetz, Eric Sadler, Mike McClain, Kate Sadler, Nathan Goetz, Aidan Waple, and Evan Sadler. Great Grandmother to Beatrix, June, Madison and Brooklyn.

Janice was born in Cleveland, Ohio on September 4, 1936. Her parents were Edmond and Mary Kennelly. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy.

Jan met her Johnny at Puritas Springs Roller Skating Rink and married him. They were married 63 years. She was a stay-at-home mom. She always made good meals and we all have fond memories of our seating arrangement at the kitchen table. She really was ahead of her time. She never let us drink pop (it would rot your teeth), and she meditated before it was fashionable!

Mom got most of her information from the radio shows when we were kids. She learned about mutual funds before there was the Internet, and learned the best gardening tips by listening to Angelo Petitti. She could name any song title as she loved all kinds of music.

After raising 4 of her 5 kids to adulthood, she started a whole bunch of hobbies. She was a competitive roller skater and even went to Nationals twice in figures. She took up tap dancing and line dancing. Dad was always chauffeuring her off to many events.

As she got older (but never seemed to age!), she started stamping, card making and making beautiful photo albums. Lynn, Donna, Kim, Shari, and Susie all enjoyed sitting in Lynn's basement creating masterpieces. Those were some fun nights! The cards she made were works of art and everyone enjoyed looking at the latest creations.

She had a gardening knack. Dad and Gary built her a raised garden bed and she prided herself with her prolific harvests. She was always trying to give away tomatoes, cucumbers, or zucchinis to anyone who would have them! Mom and Dad loved watching the many birds which came to the birdfeeder in her beautiful perennial garden.

She also loved garage sales. She would get up early on Thursday mornings to get the best finds. Many of them she would put in the "treat box" for her grandchildren when they came to visit. Some great memories from her grandchildren include lots of crafting activities, garage sale hunting, trips to Clementine's, and her Christmas house village. She also went to dance recitals and sporting events of her grandkids. She kept a fridge full of pictures of her grandchildren and would say, "Wow, my grandkids are all so good looking." She was so proud of all of them. The boys recall her taking them to putt-putt one time! She would pick up sick kids at school if their parents were working and took good care of them. Another favorite tradition was that Nani always collected her pennies all year and would put them in an old jar and raffle them off on Christmas Eve.

Later in life, she would tell her kids how Dad would have a spot on the couch next to him every morning to share their morning cup of coffee.

It brings us great peace that Mom and Dad are together again, most likely sipping good coffee and dancing to their favorite tunes. We love you Mom!

Father John Singler will conduct a mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 250 Kraft Street, Berea, Ohio.

Interment to follow at Chestnut Grove Cemetery, Olmsted Falls.