Jessica Amelia Duncanson

Jessica Amelia Duncanson (Aunt Jessie), lived life dedicated to her Lord and in service to others. She was born February 3, 1921, in Bottle Creek, Turks and Caicos Islands. At home, as Bottle Creek was known, she enjoyed a simple life and the pleasures of playing in the rocky turquoise sea and sea bathing on Sunday mornings with the entire community. In 1939, she along with her beloved sister Willa, migrated to live in Jamaica, West Indies. In time, her eldest brother Nathan, arranged for her move to the United States to improve her quality of life. In Brooklyn, NY, she resided with her mother’s sister, Aunt Mona. Shortly after, she became a nanny for the Morell family of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. That coincided with another change in residence; home for her at this point was with the Nathan & Josephine Duncanson family. Like so many early immigrants, she continued to make a living as a nanny, but unlike most it was far more than employment, it was a calling, one for which she seemed to be naturally suited. The relationship that she forged with her charge was echoed by that which she shared with her biological nephews and nieces. She became a second mother to her two youngest nephews, Michael, and Spencer to whom she read Bible stories, nurtured their love for the things of the Lord, brought to Sabbath services, and showered them with her love. Her caring personality led her to further her studies and become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Upon graduation she took on a job at Greenpoint Hospital in obstetrics where, once again she shared her love with thousands of babies and new mothers. Even here, her faith was a driving force in her life, and it was evidenced in her every interaction. Aunt Jessie had a heart filled with love, and before we knew it, there was an entire neighborhood of youths to whom she had become “Aunt Jessie”. Aunt Jessie was always physically fit and athletic; in her mid-sixties, she could be seen participating in 50-yard dash running races with her great nephews and winning. Her independence was astounding. We marveled when at the ripe age of 80 she made a solo automobile trip from New York to Florida. She was very active at Bethel, Ebenezer, and Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Churches; teaching in Sabbath School and The Pathfinder Club, working as a deaconess and in Community Services Departments, helping those in need. Aunt Jessie, the youngest of Leonilda Maud and Prince Adonijah Duncanson, is predeceased by her parents and 11 siblings. Six generations of family knew about Aunt Jessie; three generations knew her intimately. She leaves behind a host of biological and adopted nephews, nieces and friends that are too numerous to mention by name, but her closest, most enduring friendship was with Patricia Langley. She and her entire family lovingly cared for Aunt Jessie in her later years.

Jessica Amelia Duncanson

February 3, 1921 - November 20, 2022