Jeannette Joseph-Greenaway

Jeannette Aloma Joseph Greenaway was born in the Bronx, New York, on December 14, 1961, to Hubert and Agatha (Fern) Joseph. Jeannette was surrounded by her immediate family at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, where she peacefully passed away on July 12, 2024.

Jeannette was raised in the Bronx, where she attended P.S. 63, I.S. 158, and Morris High School before pursuing higher education at the College of New Rochelle. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Jeannette became affiliated with the Jewish Guild, now known as the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Through this organization, she worked as a private duty aide, caring for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, including some of the wealthiest and most prominent families throughout the tri-state area.

Jeannette was known for her caring spirit and entrepreneurial mindset. In her early years, she operated a successful clothing business in Antigua, West Indies, beginning from the trunk of a friend’s car before eventually opening her own boutique on High Street in St. John’s, Antigua. After returning to the United States, Jeannette opened and operated a family-owned restaurant in her childhood neighborhood on Home Street in the South Bronx. She often provided meals to those who could not afford them, never turning away someone in need.

Driven by her passion for serving others, Jeannette opened the doors of ABC Little Angels Childcare in 2007. The response was overwhelming, inspiring her to expand her vision. Her first major step was transforming ABC Little Angels into Children First Inc.

It was always about the children. Jeannette believed every child deserved opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. That vision led her to establish P.O.W.E.R. (Programs Opportunities With Enrichment Resources), an after-school program in Mount Vernon, New York.

“I want to do even more,” she would often say.

True to her word, by the end of her life, Jeannette successfully operated four childcare centers in the Bronx and one childcare center in Mount Vernon, New York.

Following the passing of her mother, Agatha, in 2014, Jeannette once again felt called to do even more for her community. She founded the Agatha House Foundation, whose mission is to provide hope, food, and essential resources to families in need. In 2016, the Agatha House Foundation partnered with the New York City Food Bank, expanding its reach and impact throughout the community.

Jeannette generously shared her time, business knowledge, and motherly love with everyone around her. She had a deep faith in God and a nurturing spirit that extended beyond her own children to family members, friends, and anyone who needed guidance or support. She helped raise not only her own children but also those of family members and her best friend, Julie Rainey. The compassion and generosity she showed were values instilled in her by her parents, Hubert and Agatha Joseph. Their home was always open to family members and friends immigrating from the Caribbean, teaching Jeannette from an early age the importance of giving, serving, and loving others.

While shopping at Costco, Jeannette met the love of her life, Leonard Greenaway. They fell in love and were married on June 25, 2011. Leonard remained her greatest supporter and stood faithfully by her side until the very end.

Jeannette Joseph Greenaway was preceded in death by her parents, Hubert and Agatha Joseph; her brothers, Winston, Hubert Jr., and Foster Joseph; her nephew, John Steele; her cousin, Denise Joseph; and her grandniece, Janelle Joseph.

She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy her devoted husband, Leonard Greenaway; her beloved daughters, Tiffany McRae and Brittany Joseph; her cherished grandchildren, Matthew Joseph McRae, Malachi Joseph Robinson, Demetrius Emmanuel Brunson, Michael Joseph Prince, Mark Joseph Prince,  Sarah Josephine Prince and Susana Prince; her siblings, Reginald Joseph, Maurice Joseph, Jocelyn-Joseph Besley, Reynoldson Joseph, Ronnell Joseph, Darrion Joseph, Jessica (Nicky) Joseph, Lorene Powell, and Alfred Joseph; her beloved niece, Leeann Johnson; along with numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, other relatives, her loving church family, countless friends, and the communities of the Bronx and Mount Vernon whose lives she touched.

Jeannette’s love, compassion, generosity, and unwavering dedication to serving others will continue to live on through her family, the children she nurtured, the organizations she built, and the countless lives she forever changed.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Rest in Eternal Peace, Jeannette.