JESSIE BAPTISTE

Our beloved Jessie Baptiste passed away peacefully on Monday, June 19, 2006 at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital in Thunder Bay, Ont. She had been born April 6, 1937.
She is survived by two sisters, Maggie Vivie of Bancroft, Ont. and Marie Baptiste of Winnipeg, Man. Jessie’s many nieces and nephews brought much joy to her life, and she spoke of them often.
She was predeceased by her parents; and her sister, Nancy Armstrong.
Jessie was laid to rest on Friday, June 23, 2006 at Little Falls Cemetery in Atikokan, Ont.
Memorial services were held at the First Baptist Church, with Pastor Ken Stainthorpe officiating.
The pallbearers were Floyd Vivie, Enos Nighswander, Ed Chasty, Lyle Cross, Don McDonald, and Josh Baxter.
The honourary pallbearers were Sharol Bilodeau, Christie Gushulak, and her dialysis team: Gwenda Mosbeck, Rebecca Strom, Kathy Lesnick, and Debra Manford.
Jessie was a familiar face in our community since 1982 when she first became part of the Atikokan & District Association for Developmental Services.
She worked for the ADADS Supported Employment Program. This afforded her the opportunity to meet and greet the public with her lovely smile, hearty laugh, and gentle ways.
In 1988, she moved from Caland Manor Group Home to her own apartment in the Supported Independent Living Program. She epitomized the belief that with adequate support, people with a developmental disability can be productive and valuable members of society.
The family has requested that should you so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Atikokan & District Association for Developmental Services, Box 2054, Atikokan, Ont., P0T 1C0.
“There are angels among us” and, indeed, Jessie was one of them. She touched the lives of all those she knew, and although she is gone from this world, she will forever remain in our hearts.