Jessica M. Oakes

EAST MONTPELIER - Jessica M. Oakes, 39, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 13, 2024.

Born on June 30, 1985, at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin to Kimberly (Oakes) Nelson. She lived a loving, caring, family-oriented life.

She grew up in Barre attending St. Monica School and Spaulding High School, graduating in 2003 with her LNA license. She worked as an LNA in the Barre area before attending Hesser College and receiving her associate’s degree in medical assisting in 2007. She moved to Rutland where she worked at RRMC for a year before taking a job in home care with Bayada for many years. She went on to earn her certificate in phlebotomy and worked at DHMC for six months. It was at this time she stopped working and put herself first in her courageous battle with mental illness.

Jessica focused on her family and hobbies. She loved listening to all genres of music and playing her guitar. She loved to dance and took jazz lessons. She was a good artist and loved to draw and made many crafts for the family. She enjoyed writing poetry and journaling, but mostly she loved spending time with her family, either on adventures, playing board games or cookouts.

She is survived by her mother, Kimberly (Oakes) Nelson and stepfather Jerry Nelson, grandfather Walter Oakes, grand aunt Arlene Pariseau, step grandfather David Nelson, uncle Timothy Oakes and his wife Stephanie, step aunt Kimberly Nelson and her partner Chris Gokey, stepsister Chelsea Dunkling and many half siblings and cousins.

She is predeceased by her grandmother Rebecca Oakes, step grandmother Anna Nelson and grand uncles John Oakes, Lee Oakes and Hector Pariseau.

There will be a private family service.

In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Vermont, NAMI Vermont 600 Blair Park Road, Suite 301, Williston, VT  05495. https://namivt.org/get-involved/donate/