DEXTER, N.Y. (WWTI) — Remembering a fighter.
Within the General Brown Central School District, everyone knew Jannell Pickeral.
Pickeral began her career as a foreign language teacher in the District during the 1990-1991 school year. For 34 years, she was “devoted” to her students and classroom.
“She always made everybody feel like they were the most important person.” Jannell’s friend and co-worker Kristi Bice said. “Whether you were a student or a coworker or just another adult in her life. She was just that’s the way she was.”
During her career Jannell battled cancer for 15 years. She was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer in 2009.
She was given a second diagnosis in 2014 after she found a lump on her breast and which was determined to be stage III estrogen-positive HR2 negative breast cancer. The disease came back four additional times and included many life-threatening surgeries and procedures.
Jannell’s battle came to an end on May 10, 2024, when she died at 56-years-old.
However, throughout the past decade, her friends and family said she never let the obstacles dim her light.
“There is always a smile on her face up until the very last breath,” Jannell’s Neice Olivia Eves explained. “You could tell she was just in high spirits, smiling, happy to see everyone around her. And it taught me to honestly live like she would every day. Do as Jannell would.”
Eves said Jannell also never let the cancer define her. Pickeral was a wife to Robert Pickeral; mother to two sons, Carson and Robbie; advocate and beloved teacher at General Brown.
David Ramie, General Brown High School principal, worked with Jannell nearly her entire career. He noted that she participated in many extra-curricular activities such as sports, foreign-language clubs and volunteer opportunities.
“You could tell every day she wanted to be in school,” Ramie said. “I think that’s what was driving her all the way until having to retire from here a few weeks ago.”
Pickeral, or “Mrs. P.” also taught generations of families in the community. She inspired many, including Amy O’Riley to enter into the education field.
“She was the reason why I went on to do foreign language was because I met her first,” O’Riley shared. “Everybody wanted to spend time with her because she did have so much. She showed so much strength and hope for everybody else.”
Many times when Jannell underwent procedures, the school would wear pink, lead fundraisers and shares messages of support with her family. Jannell officially retired from GBCSD on April 30, ten days before her death.
On her retirement day, the entire school stood on the Lions’ football field and sang her favorite song; “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper.
This wave of support has only increased since her passing. Jannell’s family hopes that the community will use this passion to continue her legacy.
“She had one of the biggest impacts over here, General Brown and the community,” Olivia Eves expressed. “It’s amazing to see the amount of people honestly, all around the world who just adore her.”
A celebration of life for Jannell Pickeral will take place on Sunday, May 19 at the General Brown High School Football Field. The ceremony will start at 2 p.m. and a reception will follow at 4 p.m. at the Dexter American Legion.
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