Herna Michel

Herna Prophete Michel passed peacefully from this life the morning of December 23rd after a rapid decline in health at the age of 90 years old. She was surrounded and supported by her loving daughter Gladys, granddaughter Martine, and caregiver Nadia during the last days of her life. Herna Prophete Michel was born in Cap Haitian, Haiti in a town called Carenage to her parents Anselme Leonce Prophete and Neolie Eugerie Edouard. Herna had four siblings, brothers, Beaumanoir, Marc, and George and a sister Eugerie.

Herna grew up in her mother’s bakery where she learned to cook Haitian patties and cake. She was married in the late 30’s to Edouard Michel for 60 years until his death in 1996. Herna and Edouard had five children. Oldest to youngest, Maryse deChavigny (deceased), Gladys Heriveaux, Dr. Harry Michel, Claudie Michel (deceased), and Dr. Frantz Michel. Herna migrated to the United States in 1955 to St.Louis, Missouri and where she began studies in nursing. Herna worked many years at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis until she moved her family to New York where she continued her nursing career at Mount Sinai Hospital working with Intensive Care Unit patients.

Herna’s legacy was her strong faith in Christ and was an active member in her church First Baptist Church of Flushing, NY where she also was a Sunday school teacher. Herna was the founder of the “Good News Club” in her community, organizing her neighbors to meet for devotion through singing hymns of praise and bible readings. Herna will also be remembered for her baking skills of Haitian patties and cake for her church, family and friends. Another hobby of Herna was to make her own clothes. She was best known for her floral dresses and her coordinating jewelry. Many knew Herna, as a woman with a very strong character who was hard working and the “Matriarch” of her family. In her most recent years, at her resident community, she was known as “Mama” and “adopted” many sons and daughters. One word that best described Herna was GENEROUS. Whether it was providing her home for a family member or volunteering her time at her church and community, Herna gave with no expectation in return. Herna’s faith made her a strong believer in tithing where this belief extended also to her family and friends. She retired in 1986 and moved to Miami, Florida where she lived the remainder of her life.

Herna is survived by three of her children (and spouses): Gladys Heriveaux who resides in Miami, Florida, her son Dr. Harry Michel and his wife Dorothy who reside in Helena, Arkansas and her son Dr. Frantz Michel who currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. Herna had ten grandchildren. Oldest to youngest: Harry Miguel (Son of Gladys), Rita deChavigny Villain (daughter of Maryse), Herve Heriveaux (Son of Gladys), Patrick Michel (Son of Frantz), Marie Claudie Heriveaux-Mhoon (Daughter of Gladys), Harry Andre Michel (Son of Harry), Martine deChavigny (Daughter of Maryse), Francesca Michel Hyppolite (Daughter of Frantz), Cassandra Michel (Daughter of Frantz) and Morgan Michel (Daughter of Harry).

Herna also had 10 great-grandchildren who affectionately called her GiGi. Bryce & Kennedy Miguel (children of Harry), Alexa Villain (Daughter of Rita), Sophia, Noelle and Jolie Heriveaux (daughters of Hervey), Breanne Michel (Daughter of Patrick), Emani & Reginald Mhoon (children of Claudie), Mason & Myles Michel (sons of Andre) and Isabelle Hyppolite (daughter of Francesca). She also leaves many many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Edouard, her daughters Maryse & Claudie and her siblings (Beanmanoir, Marc, George and Eugerie).

Her celebration of life will be held at her church, located at Stanton Memorial Church in Miami. Herna’s wish was to have donations made in her name to her church and the Haitian Orphanage Delmas 33.