Jestine Watterson

It is with profound sadness to announce Jestine C. Watterson, born in Trinidad & Tobago on October 7th, 1924, passed away on January 12, 2023, at the age of 98. She was the first born to her late parents Roselia & George Cave. The eldest of 13 children, she grew up in Chickland, a village in the foothills of Central Trinidad where she helped in rearing her younger siblings. Her love for the outdoors and gardening comes from the years of tending to the family land and cutting cane. Jestine learned how to cook and bake from her mother, not knowing that was the seed to her future career. October 24th, 1945, she gave birth to her only child the Late Barbara Ann Marie Figaro (Rogers)

Jestine immigrated to the United States with a 4th grade education but that did not deter her from obtaining many jobs, but her love of cooking and baking was her joy and became her profession until her retirement in 1990.

Jestine moved to Staten Island, New York in 1981, where she resided in Stapleton until her death. In the mid 90’s Jestine, attended the Saint George School to obtain her GED, once received she attended The College of Staten Island, where she completed a bachelor’s in liberal arts.

Jestine was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter and 11 siblings. She is survived by her maternal granddaughter Lisa Anne Rogers, great-grand-daughter Shaunna Rogers, great-great grandson Barnell (Peanut) Rogers, brother Zifferine (Edward) Cave, nieces Laura Gibbs, Hazelann Liverpool and nephew Garth Cave.

Cremation will be provided by Stradford Funeral Home on January 20th, 2023.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jestine Watterson, please visit our floral store.