Jean Hansraj Persaud

Jean (Sugan) Persaud of Clermont, Florida, the matriarch of our family, passed away peacefully and comfortably on October 1, 2025, at home with three of her children by her side. She was 91 years old. Born Bhainwatie Hansraj on July 9, 1934, in Georgetown, British Guiana (present-day Guyana), Jean was the first of 12 children. In 1951, she married Joshua Lionel Persaud and five children followed. She shepherded her family to New York in the early 1970s, settling in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. Once her children had established lives of their own, she and Joshua retired to Port Charlotte, Florida, where they welcomed their children and grandchildren in a place reminiscent of home. After the death of her husband, Jean moved to Clermont where she cherished her community of family and friends even if she didn’t always say so.

Jean is preceded in death by her husband Joshua; her brothers Ramesh, Patrick, and Paul/Bonnie; and sister Padma/Joyce. She is survived by her children Ronald (Holly), Aneata (Victor), Pamela, Robert, and Michael; her grandchildren Andrew (Heather), Kristina (Mike), Samantha, Sarah, Shana, Michael, Maria, and Hannah; and her great-grandchildren Hailey, Benjamin, and Emma. She is also survived by her siblings, Patia/Baby, Champa, Maniram (Lily), Rudolph (Ibelis), Dolly, Molly, and Bobby.

Jean leaves behind a legacy of tenacity, determination, and love that lives on through her 5 children, 8 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and countless family and friends that reverently referred to her as “Auntie Jean.”