Jannine Louise Uhl

Jannine L. Uhl, born April 9, 1931, passed peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. She will be fondly remembered as a lovely person — generous, and considerate, always putting the needs of others above her own.

Jannine was born to Robert and Harriet Laurence in Teaneck, New Jersey. She spent her summers in Lavallette at the Jersey Shore. A graduate of Teaneck High School, Jannine was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in many clubs and organizations, including French Club (vice president) and student council. She was a great athlete and played softball, basketball, volleyball, and field hockey every year.

Jannine attended Simmons College in Boston and was enrolled in a combined program of business and science, graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree. It was there that she met the love of her life, an MIT student named Robert “Bob” Uhl, on a blind date. They married shortly after her graduation, on July 11, 1953. Bob joined the United States Air Force, and they moved to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida where she worked as assistant to the administrative manager of Vitro Corporation, an engineering contractor. They then moved to Waltham, MA, where she was executive secretary to the sales manager of Vectron Corporation.

In 1959, Jannine and Bob made their final move as a married couple to Packanack Lake where they raised their three children. Jannine was active in her children’s lives, serving as a Cub Scout den mother and a Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader, and she was also a “go-to” volunteer on various school committees. She served as a recording secretary for the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Drug Abuse for Wayne Township. Many people remember her as a sales associate at Meyer Brothers department store in Wayne because she was so competent, helpful, and friendly.

Anyone who ever worked with Jannine, whether at a job, a committee, or a personal project, could not help but recognize that if you needed a job done right, she was the one to go to. She put her golden touch on everything she did. There are probably few people in her life who do not remember getting the most beautiful cards from her. But her family, and especially her grandchildren (to whom she was Mema), loved her mostly for her fun and silly side. Always the good sport, she brought joy and laughter to every occasion.

Jannine loved to travel and did manage to visit most of the sights on her “must see” list. Her favorite places in all the world, though, remained her Packanack community, the Jersey Shore, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Yankee Stadium. She was passionate about her Yankees (DiMaggio was her favorite), was a crossword puzzle enthusiast, and had a deep, deep affection for animals. Along with Bob, Jannine was a volunteer with Homeless Tails, which was Packanack’s non-profit animal welfare organization. She and Bob fostered many animals in their home until they could be placed with their permanent families. However, a few lucky kitties got to stay with her to receive her loving care for life. Her mother often said, “When I die, I hope to come back as a cat in your home!”

Jannine and Bob were married for 57 years until he passed in 2010, and Jannine lived in Packanack Lake for nearly 60 years. She moved to Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains in 2017 and recently moved into Mountainview Gardens, where she received skilled and compassionate care.

Of all of Jannine’s life accomplishments, she was most proud of her family. Surviving her are her son, Richard Uhl, his wife Rhea, and sons Christopher and Alexander; her daughter, Christa Ayers, her husband Donald, and children Timothy, Brian, Daniel, and Lauren; her daughter, Erica Garbarini, her husband John, and children John and Laura and her husband Fabian D’Alleman; and her beloved cat Jackie. Also surviving are her brother, Robert Laurence, and his wife Patricia.

Jannine (Mema) will be missed tremendously by all of us and so many others whose lives she touched with her warmth, sincerity, honesty, and humor. Her deepest love was for her family and friends. She often said, “I’ve been blessed with the very best.” The feeling is mutual.  

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In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a memorial donation, please consider one of the following charities:

Lancaster SPCA (an all volunteer animal welfare organization similar to her favorite charity, Homeless Tails) LANCASTER SPCA, PO BOX 3042, LANCASTER, SC 29721

Tunnels to Towers Foundation

Alzheimer's Association