Jeanne Parnell, a pioneering and beloved veteran radio personality whose voice graced the New York airwaves for over two decades, died on March 16, 2026, at Memorial Sloan Kettering in Manhattan. She was 89 years old. Known for her engaging interview style and deep connection to the Harlem community, Parnell was a fixture on stations like WWRL-AM, WLIB, WBLS-FM, and WHCR-FM. Her passing was confirmed by her son, Richard Parnell Habersham Jr.

Born and raised in the Fort Greene Housing Projects in Brooklyn, Parnell was a proud product of the New York City public school system. Her mother enrolled her in the Mary Bruce Dance Studio in Harlem at the age of seven, sparking a lifelong love for the arts. Before finding her true calling behind the microphone, she enjoyed a diverse array of careers, working in education, dance, writing, and television. She often credited the New York Amsterdam News for giving her an initial platform, noting that a column featuring her photograph validated her early endeavors.

Parnell's illustrious radio career began serendipitously in 1970 when her friend Sanford Moore invited her to host a talk show on WWRL-AM. She titled the program 'Interesting People,' a fitting name for a host who possessed an innate curiosity about the world. Her natural charisma quickly caught the attention of advertising directors Leslie Burns and Jill Ferguson, who recruited her to join the premiere Black sister stations WLIB and WBLS-FM. There, she thrived alongside legendary radio personalities such as Frankie Crocker and Vy Higginsen.

During her time on the air, Parnell hosted 'The Jean Parnell Revue' and became renowned for her ability to connect with a wide array of guests. She interviewed an impressive cross-section of cultural and political figures, including choreographer Carmen De Lavallade, actors Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, musician Miles Davis, and former presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Parnell viewed every interview as a vital learning experience, treating each guest with profound respect and genuine interest.

Although health issues prompted her initial retirement in 1995, her passion for broadcasting never waned. Station manager Joe Brown eventually coaxed her back to the microphone at WHCR-FM 90.3, the community-owned station of Harlem. She continued to host 'The Jeanne Parnell Show' well into her eighties, covering everything from theater and film to local community happenings. In 2022, her enduring impact on the arts was recognized with a Board of Directors AUDELCO Award. Parnell was survived by her son, Richard, her daughter-in-law, Gretchen, and her grandson, Richard Habersham III.