Jeanette Faith Gayle

Her Story

Early Life & Immigration

Jeanette was born on February 27, 1952, in Mandeville, Jamaica. Her mother, Hilda McNamee, was a spiritual woman and gifted seamstress; her father, Hubert Gayle, was a builder. The practicality, perseverance, faith, and self-reliance that shaped Jeanette's life were rooted in her Jamaican upbringing. She later lived and worked in Kingston, where she met Franklin Hart — charismatic, lighthearted, with a laugh you could hear around the corner — and together they welcomed their daughter, Karlene.

In November 1977, Jeanette immigrated to the United States with young Karlene, beginning a new chapter built through courage, sacrifice, and determination. Throughout much of her working life she held more than one job, doing what was necessary to create a secure and stable life for herself and her daughter.

Career & Homeownership

During her early years in the U.S., Jeanette worked mornings at the Institute of Jazz Studies and nights as a keypunch operator at UMDNJ. What began in keypunch grew into a long and successful career. Alongside two colleagues, she established the institution's first online help desk support center — a three-person team supporting thousands of staff. She eventually moved into telecommunications and technology support, helping maintain the servers, databases, and systems that a busy medical institution depended on.

Among the dreams Jeanette realized was owning a home. She took on additional work, carefully saved, and purchased a house in Irvington, New Jersey. When circumstances made that responsibility more difficult, she remained steadfast — and in time, did more than purchase a house: she built a home and a foundation for her daughter's future. Once Jeanette learned how to accomplish something, she shared that knowledge freely, helping coworkers understand the path to homeownership.

Education & Citizenship

Jeanette earned her GED after immigrating, became a naturalized United States citizen, and — while continuing to work — attended Essex County College part-time, earning an Associate's degree in Business Administration. Her achievements reflected the discipline with which she approached every chapter of her life.

Retirement & Joy

After years of work and careful planning, Jeanette retired early. She spent many of those years in Winter Haven, Florida, where she gardened at her custom-built home and built a supportive community of friends. Her Florida years were a full and meaningful chapter — one of independence, friendship, and the sense of home she had worked so hard to create.

Although strength and work ethic were defining qualities, Jeanette's life was not composed of work alone. She loved music, dancing, theater — especially Broadway — traveling, gardening, and celebrating meaningful moments with the people she loved. She named her beloved dog Myles after jazz musician Miles Davis, a fitting tribute to her lifelong love of music.

Survivors

Jeanette is survived by her beloved daughter, Karlene, and son-in-law, Dadisi; her lifelong friend, Sonia — who was also Karlene's godmother — and Sonia's daughter, Roshedah; her siblings Grace, Yvonne, and Joel (known as David); and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, cherished friends, and former colleagues. She was predeceased by her siblings Laurel, Jennifer, and Junior.