Jeannette Mwaki

Jeannette Mwaki, affectionately known as J, passed away on June 3, 2025, in Austin, Texas, at the age of 27. Born on June 7, 1997, in Silver Spring, Maryland, Jeannette brought joy and enthusiasm to everyone in her life. She was the beloved daughter of John Mwaki and Priscilla Muriithi; cherished sister to Stoney, Ruthie, Isaac, Zack, and Marthentine; loving stepdaughter to Kenneth Muriithi and Jennifer Mwaki; and granddaughter, niece, and friend to many.
J was raised in church and baptized when she was 7 years old. J attended Sunday school and youth ministries. She attended Waters Landing Elementary School, Kingsview Middle School, and Northwest High School. Following graduation, she briefly enlisted in the army before attending Montgomery College to study computer science. Soon finding her passion elsewhere, she began working at Black Rock in Germantown, where her love for lighting design blossomed, ultimately becoming head of lighting.
Passionate, intelligent, outgoing, and lovingly independent, J pursued lighting design professionally, working on notable events, plays, concerts, and festivals across five major cities. She enthusiastically shared her expertise and inspired lighting design students at Stanford University in California, Case Western Reserve University, and Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio. While in Ohio, she also worked at Vincent Lighting Systems, Karamu House Theatre and Cleveland Public Theatre.
Preferring warmer weather, Jeannette relocated to Austin, Texas, in 2021, and continued working as a Lighting Designer at ATX until her passing. An avid writer and producer of plays, rugby player, bassist, and concert enthusiast, Jeannette Mwaki's bright spirit and determination will be forever cherished in the hearts of her family, friends, and colleagues.
VIEW SERVICE PROGRAM HERE: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10_cHOXFk19yaPbW8KYbo5eHy7kqEUGyJ/view?usp=sharing
VIEW RESTING PLACE LIVE STREAM HERE: https://www.youtube.com/live/ZNZKJAtOSlE