Manouchka "Manouch" Mathieu

Manouchka Mathieu, or as she is known to close friends and family members “Manouch”, was born on January 29th, 1984, in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. She migrated to the United States with her parents, Jean and Marthe Mathieu, in December 1989 when she was 5 years old. She was baptized in the Catholic Church in 1984. Manouchka always believed in God and practiced her faith throughout her entire life. She became the eldest child with the birth of her brother Jeff Mathieu in 1987, and later, her sister Ashley Mathieu in 1995. She later took on the role of adoptive sister with the arrival of her cousin Micaela Rene in 2003.

Growing up, Manouch participated in many activities such as ballet, karate, and piano to name a few. She started ballet at a young age and attended a local dance studio in Silver Spring Maryland. There, she participated in many recitals and started to gain a love for music. She enjoyed spending time with her brother and cousins and eagerly joined them when they signed up for Karate classes. She later tackled the piano and was able to entertain her family with fun-filled recitals. Now if you knew Manouch, then you would know that there was no bigger Michael Jackson fan on the planet than her. She became a big fan of Michael Jackson at a young age and would spend many hours happily watching his music videos and concert TV performances on repeat. Her love of 90’s culture showcased itself in her love for a notable Jackson sibling Janet Jackson and legendary 90’s RnB singer Mariah Carey. Manouchka’s hobbies included listening to music, watching tv shows and movies such as The Bold and Beautiful, Family Matters, Save by the Bell, Sister Sister, and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She also had a fondness for Lifetime movies, hiking, going to the movie theater, taking care of the family dog, going to the beach, and collecting tokened items like CDs and dolls.

Manouchka was such a hard worker and started working at sixteen years old. In June 2002, at 18 years old, she graduated from Montgomery Blair High School. She later attended community college and went on to earn her certification in physical therapy assistant program. Though she did not find much opportunity in this field, she regrouped and chose to go a different route. She began working in various nursing facilities throughout her 20s and 30s. Along the way, she touched multiple people’s lives with her kindness and strength. Whether it was Riderwood Senior Living Facilities or Brooke Grove Retirement Village, Manouch never complained of going to work and was constantly demonstrating her strong work ethic.

Manouch was always known to those who knew her as a gentle, soft-spoken, kind, and silly individual. She was young at heart and in spirit and took great joy in hanging out with her younger siblings. She was always supportive of her parents and was always willing to lend a hand in caring for her entire family. Whenever possible, she would relish attending family functions as she was always very excited to spend time with her relatives. During major holidays, notably Christmas, Manouchka always went out of her way to buy and provide gifts for her family, close relatives, and close coworkers. Just another touching example of how generous of a human being she truly was. Manouchka was a great human being who will surely be missed from this world. Her presence will always be remembered.

God called Manouchka home at the young age of 37 on the morning of October 1st, 2021. She was survived by:

Jean and Marthe Mathieu…..Mother and Father

Jeff and Ashley Mathieu…..Younger Brother and Sister

Micaela Rene…..Adopted Sister

Uncles:

Jean Ones Clerge, Fenel Mathieu, Nobert Mathieu, Asonel Servilius, Faniel Touchard, L’herisson Touchard

Aunts:

Marie Elienne Clerge, Marie Monica Germain Clerge, Marie Ricile Clerge, Marie Roseline Clerge, Thelanie Mathieu, Eveta Touchard

Cousins:

Clerge Family: Rachelle, Reginald, Sheila, Evens, Sherly, Tones, Menel, and Rose Martine Clerge

Germain Family: Michaelle, Marie Jud-myr, Fedeler, and Kepson Germain

Jacques Family: Rose Andrée, Rosemé, Rose Martine, Gary, Enel, Yves, Sergo, and Michelet Jacques

Mathieu Family: Nancy, Greg, Kathleen, and Maureen Mathieu

Monplaisir Family: Brunia Monplaisir, Widler Monplaisir, and Hismine Saintfort

Saintulien Family: Darlene, Rose Katie, Marie Ansa, and Donald Saintulien

Servilius Family: Sofia and Revenson Servilius

Sylvester Family: James Sylvester

Touchard Family: Naomi Meisidor, Marie Carmelle Touchard, Brunel Touchard, Jackson Clerge, and Wilnique Clerge

A visitation for Manouchka will be held Friday, October 22, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Shrine of Saint Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 12701 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, Maryland 20853. A graveside service will occur Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 11:30 AM at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20906. A repast (immediately following interment) will occur Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM at Shrine of Saint Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 12701 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, Maryland 20853.

In lieu of flowers, all other expressions of sympathy, including mass intentions, honorary donations to a favorite charity, and cards are welcome. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hinesrinaldifuneralhome.com for the Mathieu family.