Janice Manzo

Janice Manzo, age 78, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 9, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 13, 1946, in Homer, Illinois to Lawrence and Kathryn (Davis) Rowand.

After graduating from high school, she attended Eastern Illinois University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968. Janice met her future husband Joseph “Joe” Manzo through a close mutual friend just as Joseph was preparing to return home to Cleveland Ohio. Five months later, they were married on May 21, 1977.

 They started their life together in Illinois and had their only son Jared in 1980. Janice was inspired by the nurses who cared for her during her maternity stay and decided to pursue a nursing career. In 1983 Janice graduated with a nursing degree from Lakeview Medical Center in Danville, Illinois. Janice worked in various roles, including as a school nurse, a county nurse, and in private practice with a family practitioner who taught her the true meaning of patient care.

Joe’s career relocated the family to Wichita Falls, Texas and later San Antonio. In 2015, Janice and her husband moved to Tennessee to be closer to their son. There they became members of their church home, Hendersonville First Baptist Church. Janice volunteered with the Nashville Rescue Mission and the local library.

Janice traveled all over the world including tours of Turkey, Greece, and Isreal. As much as she loved to be on the go, you could often find her sitting with a cup of tea, engrossed in a mystery novel.

 Janice is preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Kathryn Rowand, and brothers James and Joseph Rowand. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Joseph Manzo, son Jared, and his spouse Lauren, along with numerous friends and family.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 3-5 pm at Hendersonville Funeral Home. A funeral service will begin at 5 pm in the Chapel at the funeral home. Janice will be laid to rest in Homer, Illinois, at a graveside service on Monday, February 17, 2025, at 1 pm at the Davis Cemetery in Fairmount, Illinois.