RANDOLPH ( MASSACHUSETTS) – PIERRE-JÉRÔME ALEXIS, Marie Altagrace, of Randolph, MA, known as Toto, Tago, and Man Tètès to many, breathed her last breath in bed at home, surrounded by family members, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends at the grand age of 100. Born on July 7, 1923, in Lascahobas, Haiti, Altagrace had a phenomenal life, marked by her unrepentant attachment to the Catholic faith while still respecting all faiths, her kindhearted nature, her unconditional love for others, and her passion for living well and dying well, as she often exclaimed in French: “Bien vivre et bien mourir!”
She completed her primary schooling at the Ecole Nationale de Lascahobas, where she successfully crossed the line that brought her to Port-au-Prince at the school of “Filles de La Sagesse” where she completed her ‘Elementary Brevet,’ specializing in embroidery, couture, cuisine, patisserie, familial education, and the art of living, as was customary for most girls, at the time. All of this was done in an atmosphere of exemplary brotherhood alongside her siblings Fernande, Berthony (Payite), Asnio, Théonne (Tètèl), Luders, Marie Geneviève, and Yves.
Altagrace was the precious daughter of the late Napoléon Alexis and his wife Mesida Gabriel. She was the beloved widow of Jacques Cervantès Pierre-Jérôme having been married for over 50 years prior to his transition to the other life, and the loving mother of Lunine, Sorel, Jean Nardy, Gerald Renel, and Gream Innocent. She was a revered grandmother to Emmanuel, Gaël, Alfred Gérard, Grégory, Cliff Lorenzo, Marlone, Melkiora, Bernardy, Chelsea, Gordon, Nardly, Adriana, and Ahan; and a great-grandmother to Yamicha, Romaya, Tayisha, Gréam, Davensley Gabriel, Hanle Bennett, Daliyah Arielle, and Avery Carmelo, each of whom she brought tremendous happiness. As for her nieces and nephews, great-grandnieces and nephews, there are too many to count. However, Marica, Yves (Ti Ponson), Michèle, Myrleine, Carl, Brunel, Rodney, Murielle, Margalie, and Lucmann had a unique place in her heart. Her love, wisdom, and care were the cornerstone of all our lives, and her endowment origination will endure through our lives.
Altagrace’s love of life appealed to everyone. Her charming personality made her an iconic figure in the Pierre-Jérôme, Alexis families and her community, whether in Haiti or Boston. Being an extraordinary woman, she inspired those around her with her determination to live life to the fullest, continuously seeking new adventures, in the “live well and die well” motto. “Bien vivre et bien mourir!” Many often regarded her as a second mother and sought her words of wisdom, her listening ears, her mesmerizing laughs, and her tasty ‘zizye’ and ‘chiktay’. She will be profoundly missed.
Relatives and friends are humbly invited to attend the wake on Friday, March 15, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Cartwright Funeral Home, 419 North Main St. (RT. 28), Randolph, MA. A funeral mass will celebrate her remarkable life on Saturday, March 16, at 9:00 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, 211 North Main St., Randolph, MA. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, 45 Fairview Ave, Hyde Park, MA 02136.
For directions or to leave a sympathy message for the family, visit www.cartwrightfuneral.com.
Friends and family looking for hotel accommodations may contact the family directly.
