WILMINGTON, MA — Eszema I. (Brooks) Forrest, age 89, fondly known as “Esmie ” or “Aunt Nen” to her family and friends, of Wilmington, MA, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2019, at the Winchester Hospital.
Esmie was born on May 17, 1930, in Morris Hall, St. Catherine, Jamaica; she was the dear daughter of the late Cardinal Newman “Brother B” Brooks and Edemena “Sis” (Rhooms) Brooks. Esmie was raised in St. Catherine Jamaica where she attended Primary School at the Sargentville All Age School and Secondary School at the Kingston Commercial School.
Esmie met the “love of her life” Robert Forrest (“Chin”) on the bus riding between Kingston and St. Catherine; Chin made a great impression on her as he was a “sweet talker” who loved to dance and he swept her off her feet. The couple married in Kingston, Jamaica in December, 1955 and became parents of two daughters; Lavern and Rhona. Esmie was a devoted wife and mother, excellent cook, seamstress and homemaker; she loved her family with all her heart and they enjoyed many wonderful times together.
Esmie and Chin moved to the United States, living in New York where she retired from the Greater Blood Bank of New York. They then moved Wilmington over 25 years ago to be closer to their family. Esmie became an active member of the Wilmington Congregational Church; where she gave of her time and talents to help others.
Esmie was the beloved wife of the late Robert “Chin” Forrest who passed in 2004, she was the devoted mother of Lavern Forrest of Wilmington and Rhona Burnett and her husband Robert of New Jersey, loving “Grandma Forrest” to her grandchildren Tracyann Mburu and her husband K.J. of Maryland, Robert “Robby” Burnett, Jr. of New York and her great-grandchildren Isabella and Benjamin Mburu. Esmie was the dear sister of the late Ferdinand “Ferdie” Brooks, Myrtle “Ivy” Brooks, Roy Brooks, Louis “Louie” Brooks and Robbie Brooks. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Saturday, December 21st, for Visitation from 1:00-2:00 p.m. followed by a Service at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Esmie’s memory may be made to the Wilmington Congregational Church, 230 Church St., Wilmington, MA 01887.
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