Edith Jean-Laurent

Edith was born to Cleophanie Ferdinand and Martino Augustin on April 30, 1931 in Leogane, Haiti. She was the oldest in her family of 8 children. Throughout her life, she was known for her nurturing personality, deeply rooted in her faith in Jesus Christ, our savior. She was wise, astute, courageous, clear-sighted with a beautiful singing voice that made her the sought-after lead vocalist during her days as a choir member of her church.

Edith graduated from L’Ecole Ste Rose De Lima in Leogane. She was very bright at school and consistently first in her class. She attended Caroline Chauveau for her first and second year of Brevais in Port-au-Prince. Soon after, she became a teacher at L’ecole des Soeurs de Lima. She then went on to teach at L’ecole Nationale de Leogane. She completed her teaching career at La Republique du Panama in Port-au-Prince where she remained for over 15 years.

Edith lost her mom at the age of 18. While confronting her emotional grievances, her nurturing instincts soon took over and gave her life a new purpose. She quickly became the principal family breadwinner providing financial, emotional and spiritual support to all of her siblings.

Edith met the love of her life, Jean Joseph Pierre Jean-Laurent in 1957 in her birthplace city of Leogane. They were married 4 years later on December 28, 1961 at the city’s St Rose church. That same evening they moved to Port-au-Prince. They went on to have three children Myriam, Margarette and Pierre Jr. In 1968, her husband made the painful decision to seek work in New York to better provide for his family.

As if her life experience had prepared her for this moment, Edith showed the world her courage. She was a caring, dedicated wife and loving mother. This motherly pillar of strength was instrumental in ensuring that each of her offspring was fully prepared for the challenges of life, devoid from the misfortune she had to endure throughout her upbringing.

Edith felt a tremendous void after her children moved to the United States. She would cherish every moment from their visit. Following his retirement in 2000, Pierre returned to Haiti to be with the love of his life. His deteriorating health forced him to move back to the United States 14 years later in October 2014. In November 2016, Edith moved to the United States to be with her family.

Edith drew her strength from her unwavering faith in God. She was the cornerstone of the family. All who had the privilege of knowing her are grieving her death. Still, they are grateful for her kindness, her generosity, her courage, dedication and motherly love that have made them so much closer to the image of God than they would have been otherwise.

Edith joins in Heaven her husband, Pierre, her parents Cleophanie and Martino, her sister Gabrielle, her brothers Michelet and Carnot.

Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

A visitation for Marie will be held Friday, November 17, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Quinn Hopping Funeral Home, 145 East Mount Pleasant Ave, Livingston, NJ. A funeral service will occur Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at St. Raphael Roman Catholic Church, 346 E. Mount Pleasant Ave., Livingston, NJ, with interment to immediately follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.quinnhoppingfuneral.com for the Jean-Laurent family.