Marie Simone Rouzier

November 18, 1936-April 13, 2022

Marie Simone Rouzier (née Lafontant), known to everyone as Monette, passed away on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, after a brief illness. Monette was born in Port au Prince, Haiti, on November 18, 1936. She was the daughter of the late Felix and Simone (Huttinot) Lafontant.

Her father was in the military and the family traveled all over the country. She was a terrific storyteller, lived a life full of adventure, and shared her treasured memories of growing up and living in so many towns in Haiti. Monette was a very social and generous person, and she enjoyed life to the fullest. Despite many hardships, she never lost her faith, always remained an eternal optimist, and had a smile for everyone.

Monette was proud to attend Mount St. Joseph Academy in Mandeville, Jamaica, where she studied secretarial arts. When she returned to Haiti, she worked for Radio Commerce and La Maison Khan. At La Maison Khan, she discovered her love of photography. Her other passions included cooking, painting, and gardening.

Monette married the love of her life, Carl Rouzier, in Haiti on December 12, 1959. They immigrated to The United States in 1964. Monette found a job she adored working in a Manhattan photography and camera shop. Later on, she worked alongside her entrepreneur husband at their accounting and insurance firm.

She enjoyed traveling and was lucky enough to have visited Canada, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and France.

Monette was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and dear friend. Her greatest joy was spending family time with her children, grandchildren, family, and friends. She was adored by everyone who knew her. She made each and every one of her family members and friends feel special. In her presence, you were the only person that mattered. If you suspected that you were her favorite - you would be right.

She had a flair for fashion and a penchant for lipstick. She loved to dispense life’s advice like: “Always look your best and wear lipstick even to go grocery shopping. You never know whom you’re going to meet.”

She is survived by her daughter Martine Rouzier Gambino, her son-in-law Paul Gambino, her daughter-in-law June Li Rouzier, her grandchildren Anthony, Isabella (Drew), Jack (Eden), and Mia (Calum), her sister-in-law Simone Labrousse Lafontant, her Godchildren Reginald Lafontant, Nancy Audain Allen and Caroline Serrano Lafontant and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Carl, her sons Carl Jr. and Daniel, and her four brothers Raymond, Edouard, Jacques, and Frantz.

It is with great sadness that we mourn her passing but celebrate the life of our beloved Monette.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 21, and Friday, April 22, at Frederick’s Funeral Home 192-15 Northern Blvd, Flushing, New York 11358, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.

A funeral mass will be sung at St. Andrew Avellino RC Church 35-60 158th Street, Flushing, New York 11358 on Saturday, April 23 at 10:00 AM.

Monette loved flowers; however, if you prefer, you may make memorial donations to one of her favorite charities.

http://stjude.org/donate

JDRFDonate

https://www.friendsofmontfort.org/donate