Hyacinth Elizabeth Battiste

After a long battle with dementia, our queen, Hyacinth Battiste, affectionately known as Ms. Cherry entered into eternal rest in the comfort of her home and surrounded by loved ones on Monday, May 15, 2023. She was born on August 24, 1942, in St. Andrew, Jamaica, to parents Irene Luna May East and Reginald Battiste.

Ms. Cherry lived most of her life in Coburn Gardens in Kingston, Jamaica, also known as Cockburn Penn. In her earlier days, she worked as a seamstress and a community activist. One of her proudest accomplishments was working for the former prime minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson, supervising the literacy bus program in the late eighties and teaching adults how to read and write. She also recruited women to work in the “CRASH Program Work Project”, which fostered financial independence for women and helped to beautify the streets.

Cockburn Penn is also where she created a family with the love of her life, Oswald Haughton, Sr., also known as “Nixie” or “Papa”. For over 55 years, he has provided love and support and stood by her side through the good and bad times.

Although she gave birth to six children, she was a mother to many more. Ms. Cherry was well known, loved and respected in Cockburn Penn. Her home was a safe haven for many families and friends, and there was always food, love and laughter at her doorstep. Ms. Cherry loved people, and she did everything she could to make sure others were cared for.

Ms. Cherry migrated to the United States in May 1984 with three of her children, Devon, Carol and Lyode and lived briefly in Boston with her sister, Gwendolyn, before relocating to Brooklyn to join the rest of her family. Ms. Cherry became a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and was proud to work at the Beth Israel Medical Center’s Mablethorpe AIDS Unit for over 17 years, where she received multiple awards before she retired. After her retirement, she relocated to East Hartford, CT where she lived with her oldest daughter, Sandra, and her granddaughter Nikki, until her passing.

Although Ms. Cherry was short in stature, her personality was larger than life. Her laughter and smile was contagious and brought light and happiness wherever she was. She was an animated storyteller and could recall the intricate details of our family’s history without hesitation. She was a social butterfly and could strike up a long conversation with anyone, anywhere. She had a way of making everyone feel loved and welcome. People loved Ms. Cherry because she was such a compassionate, caring, and loving person who put others first. She loved to ask, “Yuh alright? Yuh hungry? Yuh wan money?” She encouraged and uplifted others, and frequently gave advice about school, work, and other everyday topics.

Family meant the world to her and food was her love language. It was a joy for her to cook for others and to enjoy a meal with her loved ones. She had a sweet tooth, and particularly enjoyed a cup of great nut ice cream or a slice of apple pie. Music made her very happy! It only took a melody and a drumbeat to find Ms. Cherry humming and dancing. She also loved to travel! She wouldn’t hesitate to jump in a car, bus, plane, or boat to explore a new destination, especially if she was with family. Her favorite store was no secret – JCPenney! Ms. Cherry was a classy lady who enjoyed nice things, especially bright-colored fabrics, jewelry, and trinkets.

Most importantly, Ms. Cherry was a Godly woman. She was a regular churchgoer and sought to live a life that was pleasing to God. We truly believe that, on the day that she passed away, the Heavens opened to receive our matriarch, our queen, our angel. The glory of God was written all over her face and it was obvious to all present. While her passing is difficult for all of us, we know that she is in a better place and that gives us peace.

Ms. Cherry is predeceased by her parents, Irene Luna May East and Reginald Battiste, her two siblings, Peter Bariffe and Winston Walker, and her two sons, Donovan Rowe and Oswald Haughton, Jr. She is survived by her long-term love and partner Oswald Haughton, Sr., daughter Sandra Rowe-Jackson; daughter Carol Rowe-Mair and son-in-law Everton Mair; son Colin Haughton and daughter-in-law Rosemarie Dunbar-Haughton, and daughter Francer Ekeke; daughter/niece Andrea Steele-Jones; sisters Gwendolyn Battiste and Margarita Henry, and brothers Buddy Battiste, Joseph Battiste and Irvin Battiste; sister-cousin Winsome Collins, seventeen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, one great great grandchild, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues and friends.

Special shout-out to all the wonderful nurses, friends and aides that cared for our Queen Cherry over the years and became an integral part of our family, especially, Rowena Duncan, Terry-Ann Gabbidon, Willelma Panton, Shevann Thomas, Karlia Brown and Angela Hinds. We are also grateful to the Eastern Connecticut Health Network’s Hospice team for helping us to honor Ms. Cherry’s wish to be home surrounded by loved ones in her final moments.

The homegoing service will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at South Congregational Church, 1301 Forbes Street, East Hartford, CT. The Viewing/Visitation will be from 8:30-9:45am, and the Funeral Service from 10:00-11:15am. Interment will take place immediately after the service at the Silver Lane Cemetery, 1280 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NewkirkandWhitney.com for the Battiste family.

Guests are welcome to join us for a repast after the burial at the Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field (3rd floor), 615 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT.

Here is the link to stream the service: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/3691993129

Thank you and love and peace to all!