The Book of Life opened for Juanita Esther Jenkins (affectionately nicknamed “Toby” in honor of her birth) on October 7, 1966 in Boston, Massachusetts. Toby was the third daughter of the nine children loved and raised by her parents, the late Pliney Roosevelt Jenkins and Carolyn (Moore) Jenkins.
Unable to fully recover from a devastating illness, Toby’s final chapter came to a close on the morning of January 18, 2016. God whispered in Toby’s ear that the time of her earthly struggles was at an end. Our beloved sister quietly slipped away to join Him and our other loved ones.
Toby’s departure has left a void in the hearts and lives of all who knew and loved her, especially her precious daughter, Juannay. For our family, the pain of enduring the loss of another link in our family chain is sorrowful; yet, we know in our hearts that Dad, Mom, Mumma, Stephen and Danny lovingly helped Toby make the transition to her heavenly home. As time passes, it will give us great comfort to know that our family chain will link up once again for all eternity in the promised afterlife.
Toby grew up in the family home in Dorchester and attended Boston Public Schools, graduating from Copley High School. She was a Golden Girl! The theme-song lyrics, “If you threw a party and invited everyone you knew, you would see the biggest gift would be from me, and the card attached would say, Thank You for Being My Friend”, described Toby to a tee.
Toby dedicated her adult life to caring for her special needs daughter, Juannay, now 20 years old. She and Juannay traveled frequently and enjoyed a good vacation. Toby and Juannay could often be seen during the Christmas break celebrating at the Cove on Cape Cod.
Toby had the spirit of a humanitarian and would help and support anyone who came her way. Toby maintained a fun-loving spirit and was everyone’s favorite Aunt. She was quick-witted and humorous with an infectious laugh. Like her heart, Toby’s doors were always open to anyone in need, as well as to those who just wanted to hang out.
Toby leaves behind a precious daughter, Juannay, her siblings, sisters, Lindsa (James) Fields, Darlene (Stephen) Powell, and Tana (Jason) Portal; and brothers, Pliney, Lawrence and Dwayne (Leslie) Jenkins. Also mourning the loss of Toby is her significant other, Brian Dennis (fondly referred to as Jay).
The loss of Toby will also be heartfelt by her beloved aunts, Ester Jenkins, Juanita Moore, and Peggy Killebrew, and a host of other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many dear friends.
Toby, though you are gone, you will never, ever be forgotten! Toby was preceded in death by both her Father and Mother, and brothers Stephen and Daniel, as well as her adored grandmother, Henrietta Moore.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday January 29 from 11 am until 1 pm at the Faith Lutheran Church 500 Talbot Ave. Dorchester. Interment will then follow at Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree.