JoAnne "Bunny" Robinson, age 74, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2022, due to heart failure status post myocardial infarction. She was born on March 28, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York to Joseph and Mattie (who were born in Virginia and North Carolina, respectively). She was affectionately called "Bunny" by her parents because she was born on Easter Sunday. She would often tell her children stories of her mother, who we all know was her BEST friend. She was also a little sister to Daisy, who preceded her in death over 40 years ago.

JoAnne was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She attended Prospect Heights High School when it was an all-girls school. In every job that JoAnne secured, she helped people. She had dreams of being a Physician's Assistant (PA). Initially, JoAnne started out in nursing (one of her first nursing jobs was at Mt Sinai Hospital), however, she changed career paths when her favorite aunt, Geneva, suddenly passed away while visiting JoAnne at her home.

She later secured a job as a 911 dispatcher for the New York City Transit Authority. The New York City Transit Authority merged with The New York City Police Department in 1995, where JoAnne continued to serve the city of New York. Before retiring, she served the city of New York for over 25 years. I can still hear her say, "I love my job."

JoAnne never met a stranger; she was the kindest person that we know. She had a silent strength about her that equally matched her kindness. She was known to all of her friends' children, her children's friends, and the neighborhood children as "mom." JoAnne had a pure heart and she had a passion for helping people, namely children, and young women. She was the type of person that would give the shirt off of her back to ANYONE in need. If she had a dollar, she would give 50 cents to help someone in unfortunate circumstances. She had a heart of gold, she was resilient and she was our angel on earth.

JoAnne was famous for saying, "thank you, GOD, for waking me up," because she cherished life. Her "good morning" texts were sent daily to those she loved. She was not able to attend church regularly as she worked full-time and was a mother to nine children. However, this did not stop her from teaching her children about God and instilling the love of God in them. She was a virtuous woman of faith. Her voice often sang out, "stay on the firing line...gonna stay til my Jesus comes!"

JoAnne was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She especially loved her role as Granny. She is survived by 9 children, 18 of 19 grandchildren, 2 God-children, numerous stepchildren, and 5 "sister friends." She was widowed twice, by Rodrigue and William.

She was a loving mother to Christopher, Carolynne 'Missy," Lucie "Vicky," Lakeesha, Jason, Rashidah, Idris, Adam, and Yusuf. She was the proud grandmother of Isis, Genesis, Chelsea, Jared, Damani, Jeremiah, Hannah, Nailah, Xavier, Jabari, Saniylah, Amiya, Samari, Kacie, Ayah, Malaikah, Raisa, Makeda, and Raiya.

She loved each of her children tremendously. Often making them wonder if she had a favorite child, although she said she loved them all the same…..hahahahaha!

She had a vivacious personality. She loved to dance. She loved music and movies. She was extremely funny and she always made people around her laugh. Lastly, JoAnne could throw down in the kitchen, often making cakes from scratch. We would beg her to make our favorite meals.

Every Thanksgiving she'd talk at least one of her children through making the same dishes they forgot how to make the year prior (hahahaha). She would patiently guide them through making Thanksgiving dinner like an oral cookbook:)

JoAnne was STRONG, she was patient, she was forgiving, she was an angel on earth, she led with love…she IS forever LOVED!!! We (her children and grandchildren) are going to stay on the firing line... until we meet again!

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