It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Evelina Elenora Merquin Baptiste of Newtown, who resided at Castle Comfort. 

She died at the Dominica Chinese Friendship Hospital on Saturday 11th January 2025.

She was a Retired: Chief Registrar of Dominica, Registrar General of the OECS Supreme Court, Chief Magistrate & Director of Public Prosecution of Dominica. Evelina Baptiste also served as Diagnostic Radiographer at the then Princess Margaret Hospital, law lecturer at the Dominica State College, a Catholic Catechist, Girl Guide, Secretary of Newtown Development Committee, National Road Parade Committee Member, National Calypso Judge and many other civil society entities.

She leaves to mourn her daughter Nawana Shillingford. 

And her brothers:- The Honourable Mr. Justice Davidson Baptiste, Gordon, Christopher, Thomas and Colvin Baptiste.

SIsters:- Deborah Baptiste, and Hazel Baptiste- Thomas.

Also left to mourn are her nieces & nephews: the Honourable Chekira Lockhart-Hypolite, the Parliamentary Representative of the Roseau South Constituency, Chelana Lockhart, Chairperson of the Loubiere Village Council, Renise De Armas, Bertli , Juan, Vivian, Jah-juana, Renee, Deon, Davidson, Desra, Christarsha and Elijah Baptiste, Quaid and Sierra Richards and Ramalia Thomas.

Grand niecies and grand nephews: Jay-R Baptiste, Chevin Hector, Niema Cheyn’i Hypolite and Jaydah George. 

Sisters -in-Law: Mrs. Margaret, Natasha, Merina and Angela Baptiste.

Brothers in law: Messrs. Wayne Williams and Desmond Thomas.

Nephew in law: Nigel Hypolie

Uncles: Francis and Andrew John Lewis

Aunts: Mary John Lewis Ilis, Seraphine John Lewis and Tina John Lewis Richards.

Several other family members here & abroad including Joseph Worrell, Jeffery, Debbie and Janice Baptiste, the Augustus family of Fort Lane Roseau, and in the United States, Athanaze, Jno. Lewis, Henderson, Merrifield, Cuffy, and Bastien families of Grand Bay, Tete Morne and Pichelin.  

She shall also be remembered by other family members such as MayMay Laguerre, Herbert Winston, Franklyn Thomas, Steve Williams, Mrs Jennifer Astaphans, Joseph Tavernier, Steve Astaphans, Janet James & Idline Joseph & family, Jean Pinard, Mrs Desiree John, and Lilian Henderson.

She shall also be remembered by close friends: Madame Justice Sharmaine Pemberton of Trinidad, Madame Justice Thom, Julie Shillingford-Durand & Family, Newton Shillingford & Family, Jennifer Vanterpool, The Abraham family of Pottersville, The Warner Family of Newtown, Miss Tracy George & family, Dr. Edmund Tavernier, Davina Jones & family, Mr. & Mrs. Steve Hyacinth & family and Marlene Joseph & family.

Numerous other friends and well-wishers including Her Excellency the President of Dominica Hon. Sylvanie Burton, Hon Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt, Staff of the Ministry of Legal Affairs including Registry, Magistrates Court and Director of Public Prosecution’s offices, members of the Dominica Bar Association, The Kertist Augustus Foundation, Dominica Road Parade Committee, Dominica Calypso Association, Staff & Faculty of the Dominica State College, members of the Newtown and Castle Comfort communities and many other relatives & friends too numerous to mentioned.

The Funeral Service of the late Evelina E-M Baptiste will be held at the St Gerald’s Cathedral Chapel in Roseau on Wednesday February, 5th 2025, viewing at 2:30 pm. Mass begins at 3pm. 

Followed by internment at the Roman Catholic Cemetery.