Michele D. Blackman

Michele D. Blackman was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on December 3, 1961 to Erine L. Blackman and Winfield A. Jay, Jr. She died on June 14, 2023 at age of 61 at Hildebrandt Hospice Center in Rochester, NY after a long illness.  

Michele graduated from Clifford J. Scott High School in East Orange, NJ in 1979. After graduation, Michele attended Kean College in Union, New Jersey. 

Michele moved to Rochester, NY in 1993 and regularly attended Christ Church, Rochester NY. She graduated from Bryant and Stratton‘s medical administrative executive assistant program in 2002. She also enrolled in Roberts Wesleyan to complete a certification program in medical transcription and administration.

Michele held several positions in the healthcare arena. She was employed at the American Red Cross where she worked as a compliance administrator. She trained and subsequently worked as a resident assistant for Heritage Christian Services at a group home. Michele worked at the American Red Cross Blood Services as administrative assistant.

In 2011, Michele moved to Atlanta, GA before settling in Durham, NC in 2015. She returned to Rochester in January of this year to be near her daughters.

Michele had a generous spirit and a passion for caring for others. Her greatest joy was cooking for and tending to her grandchildren, Tilarose and Johan. 

Michele often opened her heart and home to young people who needed a little TLC. She enjoyed watching movies, cooking, and listening to all types of music, jazz, reggae, R & B, and gospel.  

Michele loved parakeets and butterflies. She tended lots of houseplants and her favorite flower was sunflowers. She was also an avid crocheter and made gorgeous blankets for family and friends. 

Michele is survived by her daughters, Gabrielle Blackman and Joslyn Blackman, her grandchildren Tilarose Blackman and Johan Blackman, her sisters Rhonda Rogers and Dana Jackson, and her nephew, Brian Rogers (Kim Hernandez). Her family by mutual choice includes John Evans and Tatiana Jones.

Michele was preceded in death by her parents, Erine L. Blackman and Winfield A. Jay, Jr. 

A service will be held at Christ Church,141 East Avenue, Rochester, NY on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.  The family will be greeting friends and relatives following the service in the Fellowship Hall. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to American Diabetes Association, Hildebrandt Hospice Center or Second Chance Bird and Reptile Rescue.

Let Me Go

Christina Rossetti

Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me

I want no rites in a gloom filled room

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not for long

And not with your head bowed low

Remember the love that once we shared

Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take

And each must go alone.

It's all part of the master plan

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart

Go to the friends we know.

Laugh at all the things we used to do

Miss me, but let me go.

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