Janette Ernestine (Mance) Warsaw

Janette  Mance Warsaw, the fourth child of the late William Wilson Mance Sr and Ernestine English Mance was born June 12th, 1945 and she departed this life on Sunday June 29, 2025 surrounded by her children  and her loving husband. As a child, Janette had the good fortune to be able to accompany her maternal Grandmother on her midwife visits and was allowed to carry her little black bag.  That experience was the impetus for her desire to be a nurse.  At the age of 15, having graduated from Mayo Hospital in Darlington, SC, Janette departed SC for Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama to fulfill her dreams. As a result of predjudice, the South Carolina Legislature, that preferred to pay the difference in the tuition and travel to keep her out of the University of South Carolina, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1965 at the ripe old age of 19. 

Ironically, Janette’s first job was as a Public Health Nurse in Washington, DC. She carried her own “ little black bag”, and continued her work as a Public Health Nurse until her marriage to Frederick  in 1969. Together, they  enjoyed 55 years of Marriage. Over the course of their marriage they traveled all of Central and South America as well as all of Europe.  Following Frederick’s assignment to Panama, they enjoyed a three week road trip to the US with their Daughter Natasha. 

After their 3 ½ year tour in Germany they were assigned to Fort Gordon, GA, where Janette completed a Master’s degree in Nursing at the University of GA. As the only Black person in the class, she was often also highlighted in her newsletter.  

Janette began a career with the Department of Veterans Affairs while living in Augusta.  She served in all capacities from Staff Nurse to Head Nurse. When they were reassigned to Fort Lee Virginia, Janette entered a training program for leadership in Geriatrics in Hampton, VA.  After the completion of that program, Frederick completed his 22nd year of service and retired from the military and Janette began to travel for the VA.  She was assigned to the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Erie PA, and was reassigned to the Durham VA in 1990 and served in a number of capacities, including as the Associate Nurse for Geriatric Medicine and Psychiatry and, for a time, as the Acting Chief Nurse of the hospital. 

Janette was preceded in death by her Maternal grandparents: Eliza Dial English, and Boykin English; and her Paternal Grandparents,  Emmaline Mance and William Mance; her parents William Wilson Mance Sr. and Ernestine English Mance;  Her siblings Barbara M. Johnson, William W. Mance Jr., Alphonso C. Mance, and Kenneth E. Mance.  She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 55 years, Frederick D. Warsaw her Daughter, Natasha M. Warsaw of Washington DC her Son,  Eric D. Warsaw (Kristine) of Cary, NC; her siblings George E. Mance of Fort Washington, MD, Frank H. Mance of Raleigh, NC and Hazeline Mance Johnson(Lawrence) of Missouri City, TX; loved as grandchildren Janay and Marcus Johnson,as well as a host of nieces,nephews, other relatives and friends  who loved her dearly.  

Memorial Service:  2:00 PM, Sunday, July 13, 2025, at St. Joseph AME Church, 2521 Fayetteville Street, Durham, NC.

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