STORIES OF OUR FAMILIES
To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root.
Jessie Mendes
wife of John Rooks
and
Matriarch of the Mendes Family
Jessie Rooks née Mendes on her 95th Birthday
Jessie, now 96, is a Sheppard descendant
Jessie's parents were Edward Oswald Mendes and Amalia (Amy) Sheppard. She was the youngest of their eight children, born in Port of Spain, Trinidad on 14 October 1927.
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On the social page "Carib Calling" in The Barbados Advocate of January 4, 1950 there was a small article headed "Trinidad Engagements". In it was the announcement of the Christmas Eve engagement in Trinidad between Mr. John Rooks, son of Major and Mrs. Courtenay Rooks and Miss Jessie Mendes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oswald Mendes of Port of Spain. The couple were married eight months later, on 26 August 1950.
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Jessie and Johnny Rooks enjoyed 51 years of marriage before John passed away in 2001. Their children are Richard, Ian and Gordon Rooks of Trinidad.
This webpage is dedicated to Jessie in appreciation for her beautiful singing voice. In her youth she was a well known singer and performed at many functions and weddings.
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In 1958, her brother Malcolm recorded her on tape in his living room. These beautiful audio recordings from an era long gone are dearly treasured by our families.
Valerie Sheppard
7 May 2024