Yvette Desrosiers Alphonse was born on August 10, 1965 to Mola Charlotte Alphonse and Anthony Desrosiers in Los Angeles, California. At the age of 6, when her mother passed to glory, Yvette joined the family of Dr. Alford W. Alphonse and his wife Hope Elaine Alphonse in Kingston, Jamaica, at Mola’s request. Yvette was schooled in Jamaica and attended St. Andrew Preparatory School before going to boarding school at Westwood High, where she learned, among other things, the difference between “pointing the spoon for porridge and using the side of the spoon for soup.” She was a stickler for propriety and good manners. By the time Frantz and Philip were born, Yvette had developed a reputation for industry, technical aptitude and service, even at a young age.
When the family moved to Boston, MA to accommodate college for her older siblings, Yvette enrolled in St. Gregory’s, a Catholic private school for girls, and was accepted at Boston College, where she graduated with her first degree in sociology. Upon graduation, Yvette studied public health and graduated from Boston University’s School of Health. Thereafter, entranced with the world of international philanthropy, she joined the Peace Corps as a volunteer with a focus on health education.
After, the Peace Corps, Yvette took her interest in public health into academia and served as a Public Health lecturer and consultant for several years and the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. When she returned to the United States, she worked with the YMCA, in Boston, and as a grant manager in Louisiana and Kansas. In all of these assignments, Yvette focused on meeting the needs of the voiceless, the homeless and the financially insecure. During her time in Orlando, Yvette continued her volunteer activities, at Shepherd’s Hope among other places, and quickly developed a strong bond with St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, noted for its social justice outreach. In Orlando, she has been the resident Big Sister, of Frantz’s family unit.
Unfortunately, after a brief illness, Yvette went to join her mother and father on January 28, 2023 after a peaceful transition. She will be remembered for her love of music, animals, plants, laughter, humor and her unflagging commitment to the fate of those less fortunate. She was also adventurous, experimental and dedicated to the environment. She was one of the first of her peers to own and drive an electronic car, to save the ozone and reduce emission pollution. A lover of music, with a lyrical singing voice, Yvette could name the year and publication title of most of the jazz, R&B and gospel greats of all time.
We will all miss you and your sunny presence.
We know that God holds you close now. So, we who are left behind, Mummy, Frantz, Maria, Philip, Rene, Karen, Maureen, Jean-Bernard, Alex, Isabelle, Ari, Ilan, Ivy, Jared, Zoe, Quincy, Grace, and Wesley will miss you dearly. So will many communities in the Caribbean and in Massachusetts, Florida, Kansas and Louisiana. Fly high. Fly well. Reach your dreams, dear Yvette.
The Omega Omega and Celebration Ceremonies will be held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church 4851 S Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32819, starting at 10:00 a.m. on February 4, 2023. Donations and tributes can be directed to the Care Ministries at St. Luke’s Church. Phone: (407) 876-4991.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestlawnsouth.com for the Desrosiers-Alphonse family.
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