Jeanette M. Ghareeb
April 14, 1932 – January 19, 2025
SPRINGFIELD - Jeanette M. (Abdalla) Ghareeb, 92, of Wayland and a longtime resident of the Atwater Park neighborhood in Springfield, passed away into Eternal Life on January 19, 2025, surrounded by her family. Born in Great Barrington on April 14, 1932, to the late Edward and Mary (Joseph) Abdalla, Jeanette graduated third in her class from Searles High School before moving to New York City. There, she earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the renowned Juilliard School and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Columbia University.
During her time in New York, Jeanette made a name for herself in the music world, teaching at the Juilliard Preparatory School and giving private piano lessons throughout the NYC area.
It was in New York that Jeanette met her husband, Ernest V. "Ernie" Ghareeb. Their love story began at the airport during a tour of the Middle East, which took them to Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Jordan. They continued to visit each other at her Manhattan apartment, her family’s home in Great Barrington, and Ernie’s family’s home in Springfield, while also enjoying Broadway theater, the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, and the city's many museums. Their relationship blossomed, and they were married on May 17, 1970, in a unique ceremony at the former Saint James Episcopal Church in Great Barrington, celebrated by both Catholic and Orthodox priests. Their 54-year marriage was a testament to their deep love and commitment.
Jeanette and Ernie settled in Springfield, where Ernie worked in the family business, Pioneer Shade & Awning, which is now Chilson’s Awnings. Jeanette continued to share her musical talent, becoming one of the founding faculty members of the Community Music School in Springfield, where she taught piano for 30 years. She also built meaningful relationships through teaching numerous private piano lessons in her home, earning the respect and admiration of all her students. Later, she performed a prestigious debut piano work by a prominent Egyptian composer, further showcasing her talents. Jeanette was a proud member of the Music Teachers National Association and the Tuesday Morning Music Club, and a dedicated parishioner of Sacred Heart Church.
Jeanette and Ernie also shared a love for travel. They honeymooned in Italy, attended concerts at Tanglewood, explored European countries including England, France, and Spain, and enjoyed vacations in Florida, Hawaii, California, St. Thomas, Ogunquit, Maine, and Cape Cod. Their adventures together were truly endless. In 2022, they relocated to Wayland to be closer to their daughters, where Jeanette spent the remainder of her life.
Above all, Jeanette was a devoted mother, giving her heart and soul to her two daughters, Vanessa and Heather, with whom she had an inseparable bond. While music was her lifelong passion, her greatest joy was always her family.
Jeanette leaves behind her husband, Ernest “Ernie” V Ghareeb; her two loving and devoted daughters, Vanessa L. Scorpa and her husband, Thomas, of Natick, and Heather M. DiVacri and her husband, Ronald, of Burlington; her four cherished grandchildren: Michael Scorpa, Olivia Scorpa, Alexa DiVacri, and Elise DiVacri; her sister, Dolores Domaney of Great Barrington; her brother, Kaleel Abdalla and his wife, Judy, of Bay Village, OH; her two sisters-in-law, Jan "Honey" Ghareeb of West Springfield and Lorraine "Bee" Hadad of Rockville, MD; and her many nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and extended family members. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her two sisters, Julia George and her husband, John, and Edna Massery; her four brothers-in-law, Joseph Domany, Edward Ghareeb and his wife, Dolores, Salem "Buzz" Hadad, and Joseph Ghareeb; and her three sisters-in-law, Sally Hyder and her husband, Theodore "Ted" Hyder, Ann "Dear" Hynes and her husband, Robert, and Vivian Doummar and her husband, Habib "Hap" Doummar.
Jeanette’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 beginning at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 ChapinTerrace, Springfield, MA 01107 (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. Her burial will follow the Mass at Fairview Cemetery, Abbey Memorial Drive, Chicopee, MA 01013. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460-1449, the Community Music School of Springfield, 127 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103, or to an organization of your choice.
For more details and to leave condolences, please visit www.stpierrephaneuf.com.