Marie A. Francois

Mom was born in Debussy, Turgeau, Haiti on June 8, 1927 as the daughter of the late Lormine David and Lamercie Drice. She is survived by her spouse of 68 years, Gerard Francois, her two sons Guy Robert and Alex Francois; and her three daughters, Marie Florence Lucien, Marie Agathe Francois-Casimir and Marie Geralde Duverneau. She is also survived by her younger brother Andre David and several nephews, nieces and cousins. She is predeceased by her parents and her younger sister Anne Marie Lina David-Fortune.

Mom and Dad joined their hands and entered the bond of matrimony on May 10, 1955.They were blessed with five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Mom had a golden and compassionate heart. She instilled in us love, loyalty, honesty and integrity. When she was a child, she quit school right after her mother passed to help her father raise her two younger siblings. Mom was a loving and caring person, a devoted wife and mother, and she always thought of others first. She was the most unselfish person I have ever known. She was, to say the least, unyieldingly self-imposing at times but her generosity was unfailing. When adversity, illness, hunger and hardship struck her neighbors’ doors in Haiti, they knew who to call, and she always came to their rescue. She loved giving. She was always eager to give, even when she barely had enough to get by.On Christmas, she would gather all of us, sons, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, daughter and sons in-law to give us gifts.

Mom had the privilege of traveling to the United States every summer to spend time with us and her grandchildren. She did so for over a decade until we decided to move her and our father to Stamford, Connecticut indefinitely after the terrible earthquake that devastated our native country on January 12, 2010. In the beginning, it was hard for her to accept the idea of leaving Haiti and living elsewhere. As the situation in Haiti quickly deteriorated, she came to understand that she would have died prematurely had she stayed there. Mom battled with arthritis in the later part of her life. The disease incapacitated her and she lost the ability to stand on one of her feet over the last few months.

She was our queen. She lived a content and happy life. She melted our hearts when she said to us; and I quote: “I do not regret giving birth to my children, as all my hard work has paid off”. Thank you Mom for all you did for us and all you taught us. We now know too well how hard it was because we have raised children of our own. You taught us everything we know. Mom’s mission has ended on Earth. The Lord has called her. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew her. May your soul rest in peace, Mom! We Love You!!