Marie Pierre-Jacques

Mrs. Marie-Therese Benoit Pierre-Jacques was born on May 31, 1928, to Mr. Valmeus Benoit and Mrs. Paula St. Amant Benoit in Gonaives, Haiti. Her caring nature began early in life; as the second of seven children she adored her siblings Pierre, Mariette, Charles, Renee, Denise and Joseph. She completed her elementary education in Gonaives. A degree in education was earned from L’Ecole Normale in Port-au-Prince.

Sharing her love of learning began as an elementary school teacher at Gonelle Coulange in Gonaives. During this time, Marie-Therese met her future husband, Mr. Francois Muller Pierre-Jacques at a birthday party given for her mother. She affectionately called him Micou and he lovingly called her Toye. After Muller and Marie-Therese married on May 4, 1957, they moved to Hinche, Haiti where she continued teaching at Charlemagne Peralte Elementary.

To begin pursuing the American dream of opportunity for her family, in 1965, Marie-Therese journeyed to the United States. She worked at Norcross as a factory worker while residing in Brooklyn, New York. Although the time apart was challenging her family knew it was necessary. In 1967, her beloved husband joined her to continue building a strong foundation for the family. Their children Charles Frantz, Paule Linda, and Henri Muller reunited with the couple in 1971. Persistent in achieving her dreams, this passionate educator continued schooling at York College in Queens, New York.

Marie-Therese worked for several years as a keypunch operator at Hanover Trust and Chase Manhattan Bank. In 1994, she retired from Republic National Bank to travel and enjoy her family. Those who love Marie-Therese may refer to this hardworking, woman of strength as tough and passionate; she encouraged her family to achieve their goals. She loved to travel, entertain her family and friends as well as catch up with nieces, nephews, and friends met during worldwide travels. Everyone she has touched knows this matriarch of the Benoit family and neighborhood mom, who opened her home to her children’s friends, is generous and supportive.

After a long battle with lung cancer, God allowed His faithful servant to rest peacefully in His arms and called her home on Thursday, January 10, 2013. Marie-Therese’s kindness and love will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents Mr. Valmeus Benoit and Mrs. Paula St. Amant Benoit; in-laws Mr. Josaphat Pierre-Jacques and Mrs. Anna Garnier Jean-Gilles; and grandson, Mr. Serge Henri Pierre-Jacques, the son of Charles and his wife Mrs. Monique Coutard Pierre-Jacques. Marie-Therese is survived by her devoted husband, Mr. Francois Muller Pierre-Jacques; children Mr. Charles Frantz Pierre-Jacques, Mrs. Linda Pierre-Jacques Champagne and husband Mr. Frantz Champagne, Dr. Henri Muller Pierre-Jacques and his significant other Ms. Rose DeSana; grandchildren Mr. Jean Vernet (JV) Souffrant II, Mr. Henri (H2) Muller Pierre-Jacques; and former daughter-in-law, Dr. Kim Jaggers.

Siblings and their spouses also survive her, they are: Mr. Pierre & Mrs. Jeanne Benoit, Mrs. Mariette Benoit Etienne, Dr. Charles & Mrs. Danielle Benoit, Mrs. Renee Benoit Pierre-Louis, Mrs. Denise Benoit Cadet and husband Dr. Normil Cadet, Dr. Joseph & Mrs. Beatrice Benoit. Her surviving uncle and his wife are Mr. Mario & Mrs. Lilianne Coligny.

Additional surviving in-laws are: Mr. Francois Carroll & Mrs. Marie Enelle Pierre-Jacques, Mr. Emmanuel & Mrs. Fernande Calizaire, Mr. Guy Liautaud, Ms. Maude Liautaud Jules, Mrs. Mireille Conde Liautaud.

Nieces, Nephews and Spouses: Mr. Jean Pierre & Mrs. Elizabeth Benoit, Mr. Jean Richard Benoit, Ms. Monique Benoit, Mr. Philippe & Mrs. Diana Benoit, Ms. Tamara Benoit, Dr. Edwin & Mrs. Claudia Cadet, Mr. Vladimir Cadet, Mr. Yves Calizaire, Dr. Jacques-Edouard & Mrs. Sherly Etienne, Mr. Patrick & Mrs. Marjorie Etienne, Mr. Philippe & Mrs. Veronica Etienne, Dr. Richard & Mrs. Lydia Etienne, Mr. Joseph & Dr. Deborah Harris, Mr. Wayne & Mrs. Theresa Hutchinson, Mr. Ralph Jules, Mr. Lewis & Mrs. Patricia Kornhauser, Mr. Clifford & Mrs. Regine Laude, Mr. Gregory & Mrs. Kendelle Liautaud, Ms. Rachel Liautaud, Dr. Jean Claude & Dr. Linda Pierre-Louis, Mr. Jorge & Dr. Magdalena Samuel, Mr. Vincent & Mrs. Karlyne Siriban, Mr. Rashad & Mrs. Marsha Williams, Mr. Jim & Dr. Michele Wilson.

Grand Nieces & Nephews: Claire, Laura, Rachel, Rebecca and Axelle Benoit; Marcus Cadet; Alexandria Calizaire; Ashley, Kayla, Sebastien, Laurie, Isaac and Noah Etienne; David, Daniel and Camille Harris; Kira Hutchinson; Iznarra Kornhauser; Fabrice Laude; Christian and Tyler Liautaud; Christian and Canaan Pierre-Louis; Olivia Samuel; Fallon Siriban; Sebastien and Annabelle Verna; Sylas Williams; Justin and Alexander James (AJ) Wilson.

Cousins, Other Family members, and close friends of the deceased: Mr. & Mrs. Eddy Andrieux, Mr. Michel Arty, Ms. Laurette Beaubrun, Mr. & Mrs. Guy Dejean, Mr. & Mrs. Roger Demard, Ms. Marie Bernard Edouard, Ms. Marie Esteus, Mrs. Angela Gabriel, Mrs. Rita Guilbaud, Dr. Florence E. Legros, Mr. Walter Legros, Mrs. Altagrace Legros, Ms. Liliane Macellus, Mr. Raymond & Mrs. Elide Michel, Mr. & Mrs. Mucci, Dr. & Mrs. Jode Pierre, Mr. Roland & Mrs. Edith Rene, Ms. Lamise Rene, Ms. Mercedes Thermidor, Mrs. Viviane Thompson, Mrs. Alierte Thompson, Mr. Justin & Mrs. Mimose Turnier; Barthole, Bosman, Champagne, Desdunes, Jaggers, Jean-Baptiste, Lefranc, Louis, Nero, Thermidor and Thurin Families.

Marie-Therese leaves an abundance of loving relatives and friends who will always admire this caring woman…their Marie-Therese, Toye, Mom, Tante Marie-Therese, Tatie Toye, Grandma, Mommy Pierre-Jacques, Mrs. Pierre-Jacques, neighbor, friend.