I was deeply saddened to learn of the death on February 24, 2017 of former school teacher Mrs. Desaix Morency, born Elise Bien-Aime, at her home in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, surround by her loving family. Mrs. Morency was born on December 25, 1916 in Medor, Petite-Riviere-de-L’Artibonite and attended Elie Dubois School in Port-au-Price where she was trained as an educator.
In 1946, Elise married the love of her life Desaix Morency and from that union six children were born: Denis, Mona, Marie-Mercy, Herve, and Paula who already preceded her in death. When her husband departed, she was only 38 and had to work hard to raise a large family.
In 1957, she opened the first kindergarten in her hometown and had educated several generations of Riveartibonitiens. In 1977, while she was Principal at L’ecole Nationale Madame Pageau’s, she emigrated to New York and subsequently to Boston.
Mamie De, as she was affectionately known, believed in God as her Lord and personal savior. I believe her Catholic faith helped her to live a long and productive life and guided her commitment to helping people. She will be remembered as a quiet, gracious, and philanthropic human being who constantly made others smile even when times were unpleasant.
According to many of her friends, her beautiful existence will live on in the lives of her family and friends. To quote the British poet Samuel Rogers, “To know her was to love her.” I hope that her entire family and many friends will accept my deepest condolences. May her soul rest in peace!
Memorial services will be conducted @10:00 AM Saturday March 11, 2017 at Sainte Angela Church located at 1548 Blue Hill Ave, Mattapan/ Massachusetts.
For more details, Denis Morency can be reached at (617) 413 2175.
Romeo Estinvil
