Janine Marie Jones - Sawyers

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Janine Marie Jones-Sawyers, age 64, loving mother, wife, sister, friend, and community activist peacefully transitioned on Sunday, March 17, 2024 after a long battle with leukemia. Janine was born on April 28, 1959 in Brooklyn, New York to Sonia Kessler and Calvin Jones. She grew up with one loving big sister, Valerie. Janine attended an unaccredited Muslim school then completed a GED program by 1976. She then pursued pre-medicine at Hunter College. During her undergraduate studies, she also enjoyed modeling. Singing and dancing were her two favorite hobbies all throughout her lifetime.

Janine absolutely loved children and always wanted to have a family. At the age of 19, she was told by doctors she would be unable to conceive. However, she met her husband of 40 years, Wilfredo “Jaye” Sawyers at Hunter College, the couple got married on November 11, 1984 and had 3 children together – Jamik, 43, Jarrel, 36, and Janay, 29. In 1991, Janine and her family settled in Staten Island, New York.

Janine was devoted to Christ. She was baptized at Revival Hour Mission Church by her Mother-In-Law, Pastor Joan Sawyers. She later committed to St. Philips Baptist Church. In addition, Janine always supported the endeavors of others so she pursued majority of her career in fields of servicing and helping others. Janine was multifaceted in her career up until 2022, ranging from Healthcare, IT, Tax preparer to entrepreneur. Between 2018-2022 Janine also practiced as a certified birthing doula, successfully assisting 4 young women in their birthing journey, including her daughter, Janay.

Janine was heavily involved as a community outreach member. Always wanting to be involved, especially in her years residing in Staten Island, she developed a plethora of experience with different organizations. Janine volunteered for Meals on Wheels NYS, assisted with the Miss Black Staten Island Pageant of 2017, was a project coordinator at P.S. 78 for children and families, and an advocate for BeTheMatch Bone Marrow Donor Program.

Janine has a powerful, memorable, lively spirit that will live on forever. She simply did everything fueled with love. Her sweet kind soul opened many doors for others to be inspired and encouraged. Janine will be deeply, deeply missed in the physical sense, but forever our guardian angel. She is survived by her husband Wilfredo, sister Valerie, children, Jamik, Jarrel, Janay, and four grandchildren – Zyem, Chanoch, Namiko, and Marli. We will continue to celebrate the life of Janine and let her legacy live on with beauty, excellence, and most importantly, her favorite – LOVE.

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