Janiece Stewart

Born on the 4th of July, Janiece was the oldest daughter of Frank and Gloria Reilly. The oldest of their five children, Janiece was raised and educated in Brooklyn, New York. Upon her graduation from Commerical High School, her outstanding office skills, caused Janiece to be retained by Deputy Commissioner Lucille Rose as her executive assistant. It was through that appointment that Janiece created an adult training program at the Brooklyn office where individuals could prepare and apply for employment. The training program was so effective and successful former Mayor John Lindsey enabled Deputy Commissioner Rose to extend what Janiece started into a citywide program. This job readiness program served as an exemplar for other organizations and continues to impact the lives of thousands. However, let the record show that it was Janiece Stewart, who was its unsung founder and developer.

As a young woman, Janiece met and married Arthur Stewart and became the mother of her only child Kecia Stewart. During these years Janiece relocated to Springfield, Massachusetts, completed her undergraduate and post graduate studies, and became the first black woman to become a police officer in Massachusetts (Agawam). While protecting and serving the community, Janiece also taught diversity classes within the police department. Janiece also led campus security for several colleges.

Janiece’s ability to teach adults in a meaningful and impactful manner, and relate to others provided her with many opportunities to teach and mentor. Janiece was a professor in the Sociology Department of Springfield Technical Community College for over twenty-five years teaching sociology and psychology.

A mover and shaker, while teaching Janiece owned and operated “Reflective-U”, a gift and flower shop. Her business enabled Janiece to demonstrate her creativity while communicating her passion for flowers and plants.

Among her many accomplishments, one being a recipient of “ A Woman of Achievement” award by the YWCA of Springfield, Massachusetts, Janiece cherished being the beloved grandmother of Taylor Smith and great grandmother of Ziyana Sky Walker.

Janiece was affectionately called “Doll” by her family and friends (the nickname given to her by parents as a child); and “Mema” by Taylor and “Mimi” by Ziyana. A straight-talking woman of strength and determination, Janiece loved her conversations with Ziyana, backyard barbeques at Kecia’s house, and eating seafood with Taylor and Kecia.

Janiece peacefully transitioned from this life on August 23, 2023 at Baystate Medical Center. Janiece leaves to celebrate her legacy of love, her daughter Kecia Stewart, granddaughter Taylor Smith, great-granddaughter Ziyana Walker, siblings Frank Reilly (Janice), Katherine Corbett (Eddie) and Raymond Reilly (Sharon); a sister-in-love, Donna (widow of deceased brother John Reilly); nieces, nephews, and special friends: Sandra Maynes (South Carolina), Hattie Mae Goolsby (Arizona), Gerri Howard (Springfield), and Carlotta Armstead (Boston).

Services will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 beginning with a visitation at 11AM-11.45AM follow by a memorial service at 11:45AM. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit Janiece’s memorial page at www.nefcc.net for expressions of sympathy. Family and friends are invited to participate in the live services by clicking on the live streaming link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY5MzI3MTExMDI2OTA4NyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==