Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Akwesasne-Jessie Cynthia Diebow 91, of Ahnawate, Akwesasne died peacefully early in the morning Wednesday February 20th. She took repose easily with her family by her side. She had been under the care of hospice for many months following a lengthy illness battling cancer.

She was born on May 30, 1916, in Akwesasne and was the daughter of Nelson and Adeline Jacobs White. She attended schools on the reservation and attended a Nursing Program in New York City. She was married to Thomas Twinleaf Diebow at Holy Cross Church in Buffalo, New York in July 1935. He predeceased her on May 12, 1967.

In the early forties Thomas and Jessie ran a rooming house in Buffalo and took care of many Native Iron workers. With the building of the Seaway, Jessie ran the “Point” which was a tavern located on the St. Lawrence River. Customers came by car, buggy and boat to partake of all the good times and delicious food she had to offer.

For a number of years, she drove city bus in Buffalo. She also drove school bus for Salmon River Central School and was a member of AFSCME, a retired Bus drivers Program. She was the owner and operator of Twinleaf Tobacco and Gas. She was very religious and a communicant of St. Regis Church. She loved to tell stories, and enjoyed singing and dancing. She was an excellent cook, an avid reader, and liked to knit. She also loved to swim. She enjoyed a good time with her friends, and traveled with them to many parts of the country. She was very caring and enjoyed visiting with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Jessie is survived by one daughter, Sandra J. Terrance, 3 grandchildren; Jessica and Dewey Garrow, Phillip Terrance, Cynthia Smoke and her companion David Hall and a grand-daughter-in-law Tina Terrance, all of Akwesasne; a granddaughter-in-law, Mary Papineau Lascelles of Brandford, Ontario. Jessie is also survived by 1 sister Dulcie Bradley and her husband Pat, 2 brothers, Reginald and Morris (and Josie) White and a sister-in-law Beatrice V. White, fourteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren many nieces and nephews all of Akwesasne. Jessie is also survived by three godchildren, Cynthia Smoke, Darrell Herne and April Terrance. She is also survived by many special friends, Marjorie Beaubien, Bertha Horne, Mary Hall, and Laura Cree to only name a few. Along with her mother and father, and husband Thomas, Jessie was also predeceased by her loving companion of 27 years, Arthur Oakes on September 26, 1998; her son-in-law Phillip B. Terrance on January 1, 1970; and two great-grandchildren, Shawn Sharrow on January 13, 1975 and Phillip Terrance III, March 1977. A grandson-in-law John Allan Smoke on January 20, 1992 and a grandson Scott C. Terrance on August 8, 2006 also predeceased her. Two sisters; Florence W. Bonaparte, December 25, 1985; and Shirley Aldrich on April 3, 2003; and 2 brothers, Wilbert E. White on February 1, 1981 and Charles White on August 11, 1979 and a set of twin siblings also died before her. Friends called at her home until the time of the funeral which was held on February 23rd. A Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Regis Parish with the Reverend George Belgarde officiating. Burial will be in the Spring in St. Joseph’s cemetery, Akwesasne. Funeral arrangements were under the care and direction of the Donaldson Funeral Home.