Lise Jean Francois

On Thursday, March 16, 2023, Lise Jean-Francois went peacefully to be with her Savior. She lived a meaningful and fulfilling life. Lise’s life started 90 years ago in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She was born to her late father, Louis Ju from China, and her late mother, Solina Perrin from Haiti. She was the youngest of seven siblings. From her maternal side, Lise was preceded in death by two siblings and from her paternal side she was preceded in death by four siblings and she has one surviving brother, Tito Ju. She moved to Camp-Perrin and later she relocated to Les Cayes, Haiti, where she met her late husband, Carl Jean-Francois, with whom she had eight children.

Everyone who knew her would describe her as strong-willed, a hard worker, a business woman, independent, resourceful, loving, religious, and a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend. She dedicated her life to her family and God— her true joys. She did not mind working and wearing many hats, including being a nurse and business woman, in order to provide for her family in Haiti.

Lise moved to the United States in the 1970s, looking for better opportunities for herself and her family. Lise was able to earn a nursing assistant certificate, even though she was not yet fluent in English. In addition to being a nursing assistant, she took on additional jobs whenever possible in order to support her children, who at the time, were still living in Haiti. She persevered through trials and tribulations in order to give her children all that she could. She was eventually able to save enough to bring her children to the United States in the 1980s and to give them the better life that she had envisioned for them. She was a strong advocate for education and made sure all of her children accomplished their scholastic goals.

Lise adored all of her thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. To them, she was their beloved “Miman" — a nickname given to her by her late, loving grandson, Brian. She always looked forward to seeing and spending time with her children and grandchildren as they were the living manifestations of all of her efforts. She never lacked for an opportunity to be around her grandchildren, to play with them, and to nurture them. She had a youthful presence that made it easy for her grandchildren to connect with her. She was open to the latest trends and genuinely wanted to know what endeavors her grandchildren were into. She had fun with them. To her cousins and others, she was "Mamlili.”

Lise was the matriarch of her family. Everyone would meet at her house not only for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions, but to just eat and gather together as a family. She was always there for her family, and she was also a trusted friend, confident, and advisor. She had a great love for God which she instilled in her children. She enjoyed going to church and found another family in her church. Lise was a world traveler; she enjoyed traveling with her cousins, Celine and Claudette, to Europe and many other places, including Egypt and Israel. She also loved talking about politics.

Lise’s children describe her as a diamond, a most brilliant gem. She left them with many precious memories that will surely last several lifetimes. She was very loved by her family, friends, and anyone who met her. She loved us! With Lise's unexpected passing, we are reminded to celebrate life, love each other, and cherish every moment.

Lise Jean-Francois is survived and desperately missed by so many, including: her children: Albert Jean-Francois, Marlene Perrin, Frantz Jean-Francois, Carlot Jean-Francois, Patrick Jean-Francois, Carrole Jean-Francois and her husband, Bertrand Jean-Claude, Carline Celius, and Amelie Dumeny and her husband, Bruner Dumeny; her stepson: Fritz Jean-Francois; her grandchildren: Vladimir Perrin, Soraya Leys and her husband, Stephane Leys, Marie Anshise Jean-Francois and her husband Jean-Whisny Thermidor, Louis Philippe Jean-Claude, Lise Cassandra Jean- Francois, Carlin Celius, Larissa Jean-Francois, Charles-Edgar Jean-Claude, Tatiana Jean-Francois, Christopher Celius, Phillipe Dumeny, Perry Dumeny, and Meghan Jean-Francois; her great-grandchildren: Nevaeh Perrin, Elodie Leys, and Christian Lewis Thermidor; her brother: Tito Ju; her cousins: Celine Piard, Claudette Piard, Lucienne Perrin, and Solita Eugene; her adoptive daughter: Tanya Milhomme-Simmons. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, and a host of extended family and friends.

A visitation for Lise will be held Friday, March 31, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn South, 11655 SW 117 Ave, Miami, Florida 33186. A funeral service will occur Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 9:00 AM at South Miami Heights Haitian Baptist Church, 17201 SW 103 Ave, Miami, Florida 33157. A burial will occur Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Woodlawn Park South, 11655 SW 117 Ave, Miami, Florida 33186.