Marie-Maude Elizabeth Célestin

Marie-Maude Elizabeth Célestin ( née Narcisse), was born in Port-Au-Prince, Haïti on September 7, 1948 and emigrated to New York City as a student in February of 1969. Soon after her arrival, she met Andre Célestin, another student from Haïti studying abroad in the U.S. and they eventually married on January 8, 1972. In May of that year, Marie and Andre birthed their daughter, Goussy. Marie graduated from CUNY New York Technical College in the field of Social Work in May of 1986. She held a career in social work for just under 20 years as a case manager in the Medicaid department of New York City’s Human Resources Administration (HRA), where she set up approvals for pregnant women to receive health benefits. Marie loved to laugh, and enjoyed listening to her husband play the guitar. She enjoyed shopping and giving spontaneous gifts to others. She had a generous heart and was often inspired to help her family members back home in Haïti. In fact, this same generous heart is what led her to the field of Social Work. Marie loved the company of her grandchildren, Evan and Isan. In her prime, Marie was often outgoing, with an adventurous independent spirit, that was often busy, yet also quiet and reserved. She was an artist at heart, as she loved to attend the cinema, theater, and musical performances. Although she was largely known as Marie, she was known to many of her loved ones as Marie-Maude or Maude, and Maudie. Her soft smile and boisterous laugh will be greatly missed.” Her soft smile and boisterous laugh will be greatly missed.

Marie is preceded in death by her parents and younger siblings:

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Andre Célestin, her daughter Goussy Célestin, son-in-law Geoffrey Loomis, grandchildren Evan and Isan Loomis, her youngest sister Marlene Narcisse and countless relatives and friends who knew and loved her.

A visitation for Marie will be held Friday, September 3, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Forest Park Funeral Home, 114-03 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375. A funeral service will occur Saturday, September 4, 2021 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Fatima, 2502 80th Street, East Elmhurst, NY 11370. A private committal service will occur Saturday, September 4, 2021 at All Souls Chapel & Crematory.

At the request of the family masks are required for all services.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkchapel.com for the Celestin family.