Jean C. Belfast

Jean C. Dasent Staton Belfast, 78, of Hartford, beloved wife of the late Alston Belfast

peacefully took her heavenly flight on June 5, 2015. She was born on November 3,

1936 to the late Thilbert and the late Clara Dasent in Mayaro, Trinidad, West Indies.

Jean received her primary and secondary education in Mayaro, Trinidad, where she was

raised. As a youngster, she played net ball and taught herself to sew. She was always the

social butterfly and took notes from her father. Though she lost him when she was young,

Jean never forgot the impact he had in her life as well as the lives of others and repeatedly

marveled that there was no other man like him. He was a giver and she gave all she had,

all the time to everyone she felt was worthy. It was in the very fiber of her being.

After completing her education in Trinidad, she took employment in the nursing field then

decided to move to New York, joining some friends who were looking for a better future.

She met a smooth young man who swept her off her feet and redeemed her faith in the

union of marriage after a brief marriage of convenience. That man would be the love of

her life with whom she spent the rest of his life.

Jean and her family moved to Hartford, CT in 1974 from Brooklyn. NY, primarily to be

closer to her younger sister, Shirley, who was ill. But, she and Alston also wanted to

raise their children in a better environment. Jean obtained her certification as a nursing

assistant and loved this field that allowed her to obtain pay for that which came natural to

her. She was raised Catholic and ensured that her children were raised in the same faith.

Once moving to Hartford, the family joined St. Michael’s Church where she remained a

member and deeply loved her church. Jean was employed at Chelsea Place, formerly

Lorraine Manor. Her caring heart led her to become an advocate and a union steward

for a number of years while being employed there. She formerly retired in 1998 from

the profession due to health issues, but always missed caring for others. Jean was also

quite the seamstress, making wedding and prom dresses as well as other outfits, after

clothing her children for many years. Jean also joined her husband, Alston and dear

friend Idesther Neally in their community work with the Upper Albany Collaborative. She

was able to continue to share her gift of giving with others by distributing turkeys to the

community during the holidays, toys to the children during the holidays and book bags

during at the beginning of the school year. She was also able to educate the community

about the importance of the right to vote while manning polling stations in the community.

She had a heart of gold and hated the word “No.” She gave to a fault and was the

definition of love and kindness.

She cherished her family and leaves to celebrate her life her daughter, Libby Gray

(Braxton), her son, Malik Belfast (Sharisma), sisters, Doreen Beach, Vilma Frederick,

Janet Merrique, and Patsy London. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Anthony

Capezza, Destiny Berry, Malik N. Belfast, Zariana Thornton, Zakaire Thornton, and

Mason Belfast, along with niece, Wendy Clarke, nephews Edison Gould, Terrence Beach

and a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters in

Christ from our extended West Indian and American family.

She was predeceased by her husband, Alston Belfast, her sisters, Shirley Woodyear

and Dulcie Gould, grandson, Shakim Belfast, niece Nicky Gould, and nephew

Wayne Frederick.

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