Wanda McKenzie

Born on August 13, 1964, in Brooklyn, to Antoine and Paulette (Thezan) Cabrol, Wanda’s life was rooted in family from the very beginning. Some of her most treasured childhood memories were formed in Haiti with her grandmother, Andreana—moments that shaped her warmth, strength, and deep sense of love that she carried throughout her life. Raised in Brooklyn, her childhood home was filled with laughter, togetherness, and unbreakable bonds. As the youngest of five siblings—Ketly, Mark, Carline, and Lodz—she grew up surrounded by love, and in turn became someone who gave it so freely to others.

Wanda graduated from Prospect Heights High School in the early 1980s and soon devoted her life to caring for others. Beginning as a dietary aide, she went on to become a certified nursing assistant, where her natural compassion, patience, and gentle spirit made her exceptional. She didn’t just care for people—she truly saw them, comforted them, and uplifted them. To so many, she wasn’t just a caregiver—she was a source of peace, dignity, and kindness during life’s most vulnerable moments.

She later made her home in New Jersey, settling in Jackson in the early 1990s before moving to Toms River in 2018. Wanda’s home was never just a place—it was a feeling. The heart of it all was her kitchen, where the rich aromas of her cooking, especially her beloved Caribbean dishes, brought everyone together. Every meal she prepared was an expression of love, a way of nurturing not just bodies, but souls.

Wanda had a rare and beautiful gift—she made everyone feel like family. Whether hosting holidays, summer barbecues, or simple gatherings, she created moments that people would carry with them forever. Her attention to detail, her joyful spirit, and even her signature touch of matching her nails to each holiday made every occasion feel special. Her home was a place of comfort, laughter, and belonging—where no one was ever a stranger.

Above all, Wanda cherished her role as a grandmother. Her grandchildren were her pride and her joy, and she poured her heart into every moment spent with them. Whether through laughter, shared meals, or quiet time together, she created memories that will forever live on in their hearts.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Antoine and Paulette (Thezan) Cabrol; her grandparents, Prudence Thezan, Andreana Cabrol, and Gedeon Cabrol; her sister, Ketly Sainton (Reynold); her brother, Mark Cabrol; and her niece, Natasha Sainton.

She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love carried on by her sisters, Carline Theodore (Jean Robert), Lodz Duplan (Marc), Paulina Cameron, and Steve Cabrol; her sister-in-law, Carolyn Cabrol; her beloved children, Marcus (Shainna), Kimberly, Melissa, and Michael; and her cherished grandchildren, Eli, Vivienne, Madison, Mia, Mason, Antoine, and Andriana. She is also deeply loved and remembered by her nieces and nephews, including Reynold Sainton Jr. (Evelyn), Robert Theodore (Tiffany), Kathleen Jacobs (Derrick), Kyle Cabrol, along with many extended family members, friends, and all those whose lives she touched.

Wanda will be remembered not only for her kindness and strength, but for the way she made people feel—loved, welcomed, and never alone. Her life was a blessing, her love was a gift, and her legacy will continue to live on in every heart she touched.