Rafuse, Jessie Vivian – 89, of Black Rock, passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2023 in the comfort and quiet of Wolfville Nursing Home. Born in Chipman Brook, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Emma (Meisner) Fredericks. Jessie was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Her flower gardens were a source of contentment and joy, and she would work on them diligently to perfect every little flower. Jesse loved having her grandchildren and all her family around; especially during holidays and Christmas time, or any reason really for a family gathering. Spending time at her church, singing in the choir, acting in the Black Rock theater group, playing darts, golfing with Papa Ron, as long as she was doing something with her family or friends, she was happy. Jessie played the guitar, auto-harp, fiddle, violin, mandolin, as well as the piano. Jesse's life's work was teaching. She began her career in Morristown School. From there she went to the Lovelace Corner School that housed grade primary to grade six. Then she continued onto Cambridge Elementary. She taught all together for 32 years. After a time, she worked for Judge Hall in Berwick providing home care. Jessie loved going to Ross Creek cottage with her best friend, Bill Murphy whom she loved dearly. She loved her cats, especially her last cat Lucky -her loyal companion. Surviving are her daughter, Marlene Joy Saunders (AKA Aunt Marnie), Tammy Barnett (accepted as a daughter)(AKA Tamatha); grandchildren, Daniel-Alan Butler (Jessica), Scott (Megan) Saunders, Anitra (Andrew) Cronin; step grandchildren, Jasmine (Kristen) Bradley, and Liana (Sebastian) Rhodenizer; great grandchildren, Kaydan Butler, Raina and Maddox Saunders; step great grandchildren, Ami, Kalana, Peyton, and Hudson; daughter-in-law, Debbie (Micheal) Vandenhof; special nieces, Bernice Landry and Doris Doherty. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her son, Daniel Keith "Danny" Saunders; great granddaughter Madison; first husband Keith Perry Saunders and her second husband Ronald Harry Rafuse; sisters, Grace (Vance) Balsor; Elsie (George) Barkhouse; Marjorie (Lawrence) Rockwell; Mary in infancy; brothers, Henry, William, Joseph, and Grant. Visitation for family and close friends was held 2-4pm Sunday, October 1 in Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main St. (902) 825-3448. Memorial Service will be 2:00pm Tuesday, October 3 in Black Rock Baptist Church with Pastor Christina Bigelow officiating. Interment in East Black Rock Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of NS, Heart and Stroke Foundation of NS, or the Black Rock Baptist Church. Online guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com