Janeen LaSonda Richard, 52, of Miami, passed on Oct. 20, 2022. Richard was born on July 26, 1970 to Eddie Lee and Joan White Rivers in Newark, NJ, the youngest child of four siblings, Brenda Joyce, Edward Wayne and Karin Michelle Rivers-Aaron.

In 1975, the family moved to Hillside, NJ, where Janeen attended Walter O. Krumbiegel Elementary School, and Hillside High School. After high school, Janeen went on to attend Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga.

She expanded her horizons during her junior year by traveling abroad to study at the University of Birmingham, England, growing into her own as a young woman. Her time backpacking across France, Spain and Italy was a catalyst to her successful next chapter. In 1992, Janeen graduated with honors (cum laude) from Spelman with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She would go on to pursue her aspiration of becoming a lawyer.

Janeen attended the University of Miami School of Law from 1993-1996. While at law school she was an associate editor of the University of Miami Inter-American Law Review, member of the Moot Court Board, received Best Brief at Moot Court Competition, was a member of Phi Delta Phi, International Legal Honor Society, and the Black Law Student Association (BLSA), serving as secretary from 1994-95. On May 12, 1996, Janeen graduated from UM School of Law, with distinction (cum laude), earning her Juris Doctorate Degree.

Although Janeen was admitted to the Florida Bar in September 1997, she started her career in 1996 as a federal law clerk for the Hon. Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr., United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. She continued her career practicing civil litigation at Carlton Fields, PA (19982001) and then at Akerman Senterfitt, PA (2001-2006) where she began her focus on employment law.

In 1991, while working at Bayside Marketplace, Janeen met Dickson Richard. The couple started dating immediately were married on Feb. 12, 2001. She and Dickson were pet parents to cats Pokie, Dixie and Janeen and Dickson welcomed their first child, Kayla Janaye, on Aug. 21, 2003, and their second daughter, Avery Samantha, on June 8, 2005. She was very proud of them and loved them more than life itself.

In March 2004, Janeen became godmother to twins, Camron and Jayden Nelson. She was an integral part of their lives, regularly attending birthday parties and special events and always supporting them in their endeavors.

In 2006, Janeen went on to work as an assistant school board attorney in the Personnel Department at the School Board of Miami-Dade County and in 2010 became an assistant city attorney in the Labor and Litigation Divisions for the City of Miami. For the past eight years, Janeen worked at the City of Fort Lauderdale, as Human Resources manager, where she ended her illustrious career.

Janeen had a true zest for life. She enjoyed traveling, concerts, plays/musicals, movies, food, Disney World, spa days, family reunions, professional sports, shopping, but most of all, she loved being a mom to her girls, Kayla and Avery.

Janeen religiously attended her family reunions in Plant City, Fla. and other venues. She also enjoyed the Strawberry Festival with family throughout the years. Janeen loved many things, but her family most.

Janeen is survived by her husband of 32 years Dickson Richard, daughters Kayla Janaye Richard and Avery Samantha Richard; sisters Brenda Rivers and Karin Rivers Aaron (Rodney); brother Edward Rivers; nephews Charles Edward Haynes and Gil Johnson (Victoria); godsons Camron and Jayden Nelson; family dog Blue; Blackie, the cat; and a host of family and friends.