In Loving Memory of Erene Verone Baptiste
Monday 21st March 2022
10am - Christ the Servant King Church, Sycamore Rd, Booker, High Wycombe
12.30pm (approx) - Wooburn & Bourne End Cemetery
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Erene Baptiste - Eulogy
Erene Verone Baptiste was born on the 22nd March 1950 in Richland Park, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the daughter of Pearlina King and Vertyl Bacchus. She was the third oldest of ten children, her siblings are Steve Bacchus, Ephraim Bacchus, Sylvina Bacchus, Pearlina King, Verina Bowman, Fitzroy Bacchus, Evitha Bacchus, Phyllis Bacchus and Chesley Bacchus. Erene was brought up in an Adventist home. Her parents instilled Christian values and principles from an early age, which remained with her throughout her life. At the age of twelve she was baptised and went to both Adventist elementary and secondary schools. She achieved qualifications in Human Biology and Nursing later in her life. Her first church office was as a Missionary Volunteer secretary at the age of sixteen in Richland Park SDA church.
When she was eighteen years old, her parents introduced her to a Christian man named Eldon Baptiste and they were married on 11 August 1968 in Kingstown, St Vincent. Soon after, they both relocated to England, and her first daughter, Judy, was born. A year later, her second daughter, Michele, was born. She sent her daughters to live in St Vincent with their grandparents whilst they both worked in order to provide a family home. Three years later she joined her daughters in St Vincent where she had her third daughter, Arlene.
In 1976, she returned to England with her children and moved to her current address where she resided throughout her life. After working various jobs, she pursued a nursing career, working nights for fifteen years for the NHS at Wycombe General Hospital. In 1987 she was blessed with her fourth daughter, Nicole. She then worked for several nursing agencies before her retirement. Erene was a dedicated member of the Seventh Day Adventist church, first attending Pineapple Cafe at West Wycombe Road, followed by Micklefield, Sands and Wycombe Community churches. Within these churches she held many offices, including Deaconess, Sabbath School Superintendent, and she also supported her husband in his role as First Elder. She was well organised in planning programmes and she would confidently express her opinions in church meetings. She also had a passion for singing and would often sing with her husband in church. Most recently, she was a Teens Sabbath School Teacher, as she loved nurturing the spiritual growth of children and young people.
She was family-orientated, hospitable and enjoyed entertaining guests. This was demonstrated in the early 70’s when she opened her home for six months to a Ugandan refugee couple. After church every week her house would be the regular hub for Sabbath lunches. She welcomed church guests from conference presidents and pastors to Newbold students, and was accommodating even at the last minute. She was an excellent cook, her delicious Caribbean dishes will be greatly missed. Erene took on the role of motherhood very seriously, she was a strict disciplinarian and did the best she could with what she knew. Her children are eternally grateful for the Christian values that she instilled in them; her legacy will live on in the next generations. She was keen on documenting her family tree and recorded this information on her iPad.
Erene enjoyed reading educational books particularly Christian literature, health and psychology books. She also loved romance movies and novels. Erene always encouraged her children to pursue their education and would buy them supporting workbooks. She was a confident driver; a modern woman of her time. She was adventurous and enjoyed travelling, often visiting relatives in Canada, USA and the Caribbean. Erene always looked forward to holidays and went on several cruises to places such as The Bahamas and the Mediterranean.
She was a great encourager, which is evident in all of her positive posts on social media. In her spare time she loved to do word puzzles and word searches on her iPad and would solve them in record time. Erene was a strong woman. When she was first diagnosed with cancer she took the news so bravely and walked out valiantly after every chemotherapy session. The family was in awe at how she took it in her stride, which is testament to the kind of positive and courageous woman she was, never letting anything get her down. She fought a private battle, never wanting to burden anyone, especially on her more challenging days. Her final wish was to spend some quality time with her ninety-nine year old father and siblings in Florida. She was instrumental in bringing the family closer together. They reminisced on their childhood days and spent time fellowshipping.
Throughout her battle with cancer, she never gave up, she fought fearlessly because her faith in God was steadfast, right until the very end. On the 16th February, at the age of seventy-one, she passed away peacefully in AdventHealth Orlando hospital, surrounded by her close family. The family’s hearts are heavy to lose such a wonderful woman and will hold on to the many amazing memories and life lessons she taught them throughout the years.