Evelyne Labissiere

Evelyne Labissiere, née Romain, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, October 26, 2024. She was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on November 18, 1941, to the marital union of Emmanuel Romain and Dieudonne Laguerre, the second of ten children. Her siblings include her brother, Paul Emmanuel, and eight sisters: Jacqueline, Mimose, Rose-Marie, Gislaine, Renée and Magguy. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Irma and Nicole.

Evelyne completed her studies in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, becoming a professional seamstress. To say that she was prolific in this art is an understatement; she sewed constantly, making everything from doll dresses to elegant attire. She worked in this domain both professionally and personally for her entire life.

In 1962, at the behest of her late cousin, Mme Elizabeth Luc, Evelyne, at twenty years old, was the first among her siblings to emigrate to the United States of America. She settled in Brooklyn, New York and quickly became a member of Hebron French Speaking Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church. Hebron, a newly established congregation, also served as the pioneering mecca, welcoming newly arrived immigrants of Haitian decent in the New York area. Evelyne married Raoul André Labissiere in 1965; of this union were born four children.

She faithfully served in different roles at Hebron until she and her family relocated to Queens, NY. Evelyne played a pivotal role in the founding of Bethsaida French Speaking SDA church, which remains the only Haitian SDA church in Far Rockaway, New York. She continued to serve Bethsaida SDA church in various roles including as a deaconess and director of DORCAS. After 45 years of arduous labor, she retired and relocated to Orlando, Florida, joining many of her sisters. Evelyne became a member of Guilgal French Speaking SDA church of Orlando, Florida, where she remained until her death.

Evelyne was a hard working and faithful servant. She dedicated her life to her faith, the rearing of her children, to her family and to her profession. She was a caring daughter to her parents until their death. She was a loving, kind and supportive sister to her siblings. Evelyne gave tirelessly of herself to her extended family members, friends and to the community at large.

Evelyne is survived by: Children: Nancy Dorvelus Labissière, and her spouse, Chantal Labissière; Carline Diaz, née-Labissière, Mclean David Labissière; Grandchildren: Tiffany Dorvelus, Brianna Owens, née Diaz, Samantha-Eve Diaz; Brother: Paul Emmanuel Romain and family; Sisters: Jacqueline Nozea, née Romain; Mimose Vernet, née Romain; Rose-Marie Blaise, née Romain; Ghislaine Romain; Renée Metayer, née Romain and Magguy Baptiste, née Romain; God-daughter: Yasmine Pierre-Pierre

Cousins: Dr. Edner Corbier and family; Dr. Arnold Corbier and his spouse, Myrtha Corbier; Eddy Labossière and family, Jacques Labossière, Marie-Yolene Labossière and Joel Labossière and Countless nieces and nephews.

Our sincere condolences to the following families affected by this loss: Labissière, Dorvelus, Diaz, Owens, Romain, Corbier, Nozea, Lebrun, Charles, Mitchell, Vernet, Difrancesco, Lallemand, Blaise, Cadet, Jeudy, Gedeon, Metayer, Legros, Pierre, Baptiste, Hyppolite, Labossière, Blanc, Eloi, Laurent, Abellard, Souffrant, Pierre-Pierre and Bonny.

A funeral service for Evelyne will be held Friday, November 8, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Guilgal French Seventh-day Adventist Church, 5668 N Pine Hills Rd, Orlando, FL 32810. Following the funeral service will be a committal service from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd, Gotha, FL 34734.