Obituary of Euris Blunt

Euris Neldoreen “Nel” Small Blunt was born on April 22, 1928 in St.Thomas Barbados. She was the youngest of eight children born to Charles Nathaniel and Edna Isabella Small. From a young age, Nel embraced the value of caring for others and providing for family despite limited financial resources. Having lost her own mother at age 10, she adopted her six year old nephew Peter while in her early twenties, when her sister unexpectedly passed away. This theme was pervasive throughout her life as she also assumed financial responsibility for her four young nieces and a nephew living in Guyana, when her brother passed away and their mother suddenly followed shortly after.

Nel had a strong work ethic and was a pioneer within her family. She migrated solo to the USA in the late sixties, settling in the New York area in search of a better life. She paved the way for her young daughter and several other family members to eventually follow. Her long career in her newly adopted land was spent primarily in the nursing field before retiring from Aishel Avraham Residential Health Facility in Brooklyn when she was in her seventies. After retirement, Nel became more active in her beloved St. James Episcopal Church, which she had joined in 1995 when she relocated with her daughter to Montclair, New Jersey.

To her daughter Debra’s close friends, Nel was also their “other mom” they could go to for no judgment, all love, all listening and support. They each forged their own unique relationship with her. 

Nel was well known for her culinary skills. There was never any shortage of family or friends at the dinner table when word got out she was preparing a meal. Orders were always placed well in advance to secure one of her highly prized cakes during the holidays. Her cooking standards were high and her skills extraordinary. For others to receive a thumbs up from her for a dish they had prepared was the equivalent of winning an Oscar.

Nel will be remembered as a statuesque quiet woman with a shy smile, kind and generous heart, and warm spirit. She genuinely loved and cared about family and those she viewed as friends. She departed this earth on Monday July 31, 2023 at age 95 after a life well lived. Nel is survived by her daughter Debra Small, grandson Kyle Small-Davis (Fabrice Fosset), numerous nieces, nephews and cousins as well as adopted daughters and sons. She will be missed by the Small and Sherry families as well as the many friends who loved her.