Requiescat in Pace: Jeanette Cole

The sympathy of the parish is extended to the family and friends of Jeanette Cole, who died unexpectedly on July 19th.

Jeanette Barbara Cole (née Matthews) was born on February 27, 1938, in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, Jamaica, to the late Inez Louise Matthews (née James) and the late Charles Nicolas Fuller Matthews. She transitioned from this earthly life to eternal rest on Friday, July 19, 2024 at Holy Name Hospital.

Jeanette attended Cathedral High School, now known as St. Jago, in Spanish Town, Jamaica. After completing high school, she worked at the Registrar General’s Office in Spanish Town for nine years. In 1965, she immigrated to the United States. On July 24, 1971, she married Herbert Rodsom Cole, who predeceased her in 1993.

Jeanette lived in New York and worked as a bookkeeper at London Records from 1966 to 1974. She then joined the Metropolitan Hospital in New York City, where she served in accounts receivable from 1974 until 1999. Later, she worked as a paraprofessional, also known as a special education assistant, with the Teaneck Board of Education from 2001 until her retirement in 2012, after 44 years of dedicated service.

Jeanette had a passion for baking and cake decoration, actively participating in the International Cake Decorating Society (ICES) and attending annual conventions. On September 15, 1982, she became a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Teaneck, New Jersey, where she was an active participant in the choir and altar guild. Every major occasion at St. Mark’s for decades featured one of Jeanette’s beautiful cakes, a gift she shared with her parish family.

Jeanette married Henry Gasford Robinson on July 8, 2023, at St. Mark’s. She is survived by her him; her brother, Herbert; her sister-in-law, Maria; nieces, Barbara and Natalie; nephews, Fabian, Andrew, and Richard; as well as many cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, and other family members and friends. Jeanette was predeceased by her brother, Alton.

Her funeral was held on Saturday, August 10th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s.

Friend and fellow parishioner Jeanette Adams wrote this poem to remember her friend and namesake:

two Jeanettes 
A and C 
St. Markers 
choir sisters 
February friends 
godmothers 
gigglers 
cake bakers 
one from a peninsula 
the other an island 
were a good team 
wore glasses 
humored Henry 
bought new toilets 
cleaned the kitchen 
sewed curtains 
got their hair done 
at Basilica’s 
comforted each other 
sang soprano 
but people often 
mixed them up 
let’s set the record straight 
she was Altar Guild 
I was North Porch 
she was Caribbean Night 
I was Math Adventures Word Play 
we both were Outreach 

she was Jamaican 
I was Floridian 
we both baked 
I was just ok 
a recipe follower 
she was superb 
an artist 
we both sewed 
I was so-so 
a pattern follower 
she was sensational 
a master 
designer 
quilter 
adapter 

how I loved 
being mistaken for her 
fondant frosting 
edible flowers 
detailed decorations 
pound cakes 
cupcakes 
fruit cakes 
three tiered cakes 
celebrating 
weddings 
Confirmations 
birthdays 
farewells 
Commencements 
 
moist 
marvelous 
rum-soaked 
creme filled 
chocolate 
vanilla 
 
how I miss 
helping her 
find the right note 
sharing rides 
and gossip 
 
how generous she was 
kind 
thoughtful  
unassuming 
reserved 
faith-full 
ready 
steady 
a St. Mark’s treasure 
my friend 
fan 
muse 
mentor 
perfect for this poem .

Jeanette Adams – August 4th, 2024