Jaisha Ericka Renee Gooden: 2020 PCHS graduate

April 3, 2024 at 10:47 p.m.

Jaisha Ericka Renee Gooden, 21, affectionately known as "Jaii," died unexpectedly Mar. 28, 2024, in her hometown, Mt. Vernon.

She was born in Brooklyn to Jarren Gooden and Shaming Fite Sept. 24, 2002, the first girl and grandchild in the Gooden family.

Jaisha started her education in Troy, N.Y., transferred to the Kennedy School in Port Chester in 2012 at the age of 9, completed her education and graduated from Port Chester High School in 2020.

As an active student in after-school programs, she became a member of the African American Club, Yearbook Club, Girls Inc., and spent many hours volunteering as an office worker in the principal’s office.

After graduating high school, with the outbreak of COVID, she attended Westchester Community College for two years, graduated with an Associate of Science degree in Business Management and made the President’s List.

In 2023, she entered Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y. to complete her Master of Business Administration with a minor in Digital Marketing, expecting to graduate in December 2024.

Jaisha was awarded the Flight Path Scholar Award and the Hartwick College Founders’ Award and received these awards each semester.

While attending Hartwick, she made the Dean's List, was a member of the African American Club and joined The National Society of Leadership and Success Organization.

She was looking forward to starting her internship with Merrill Lynch in New York and was excited about her dream of starting a business in the medical field.

Jaisha is survived by her loving parents, Shaming Fite of Troy, N.Y. and Jarren Gooden and his wife Jyspee of Port Chester; paternal grandparents Eric and Mattie Gooden of Mt. Vernon; brother Innocent East of Troy, sisters Jasira and Janyla Gooden of Port Chester; uncles Brice Gooden of Mountain View, Calif., Joseph and Larry Johnson of Albany; aunt Anna Johnson of Alexandria, Va., five great-uncles, seven great-aunts, a host of cousins, great-cousins, extended family and friends who deeply mourn her passing.

She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her gentle soul, unselfish love, kind heart, her love of music, and the love she had for her dog Barney.

She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, bringing joy and laughter into their lives. Her memory will be cherished forever by those who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.

Jaisha was laid to rest at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye; funeral services were private.

Condolences to the family may be left at www.craftmemorialhome.com