Nelly R. Baptist

Nelly R. Baptist, resident of Santa Rosa, CA passed away on the 15th of January, 2012, at the age of 82, after struggling with an aggressive form of cancer.
She was born November 10, 1929 in Granada, Nicaragua, the daughter of the late Ramon Antonio Ruiz and Maria Avilez. She was the youngest of 10 children and is survived by her brother Antonio Ruiz, daughters Glynis Kerrick and Dorien Tague, and grandchildren, Colleen Crotts, Nicole Matushenko, Eilish Matushenko, Corey Bartreau, and Aaron Tague.

Nelly traveled extensively throughout her life including temporarily living in Guam, the Philippines, Portugal, the Canary Islands, Ireland, and England. She enriched her life with new cultures as she established lifelong friendships, carried on traditions and continued her efforts to learn various ethnic cuisines.
For several years in Europe, she ran a mail order antique jewelry business with her husband Alvin Baptist.

After her divorce she returned to the United States and began her career as a Nanny enhancing the lives of many families and children. In the latter part of her life, she renewed her interest in Major League Baseball as an avid fan supporting the San Francisco Giants.

She was a dedicated wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and grandmother. Nelly will be sadly missed by all those she touched with her presence and wisdom.