Gisele Ambroise, who left her native Haiti back in 1967 and, within two years, had all of her seven children (in addition to a younger brother and her mother) living with her in Brooklyn, New York, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2020.
The daughter of Andrea Ambroise and Luc France, Gisele was born in Port-au-Prince and worked as a secretary at the tax bureau before immigrating to New York. Here, she worked two jobs, sewing neckties during the day and, in the evening, cleaning offices in Manhattan.
Once established, she would shuttle back and forth between her two countries.
Health issues starting to beset her, she later resettled in New York. Gisele was an intelligent, energetic go-getter who forged her way through her bustling worlds.
As the last living elder, Gisele was an icon to her family. Two maternal siblings, Moise, an electrical engineer, and Pierre (Pedro), a businessman (who once owned the well known restaurant Chez Pedro in Carrefour) predeceased her. She was very close to her paternal siblings, Lillie and Laurette.
Gisele is survived by her children Henry (Champi), the eldest, Wesner, Shirley (Bijou), Andre (Dedy), Frederick, Sylvio (Kant) and Natacha (Chacha). She played a major role in the raising of granddaughters Nadege and younger sister Elodie, and also in the raising of grandchildren Karlyne, Wesley, Shawnda and Richard—all of whom “Manmi Gisele” cared for as youngsters in Haiti. She will be missed by her grandchildren: Richard (France), Henry Bo, Millie Bo; Wesley, Tracey, Adam; Karlyne, Jacky, Andy; Sidélise; Stuven, Frederika; Elijah, Jeremiah, Nadege, Elodie, Adowa, Muniu, Afa, Sophia, Hazimoon, Leah; Shawnda, Richard (Brookshire) and great-grandchildren: Kyle; Jackson, Karsyn; Ryan; Royce; Isaiah, Jacob; Tchetoskany, Seynabou; Jalyna, Nia and Nezy. Gisele is survived by a host of friends and by her extended family.
M A Y S H E R E S T I N P O W E R!
Visiting hours will be at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home on Friday January 24th from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Anthony’s Church on Friday at 1pm. Interment will follow at Hope Cemetery.
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