Marie Saintelien

Marie-Carmel Ersule Mondesir was born on May 14th, in 1935 to parents Belizar Henrys and Carmen Mondesir in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She is one of eight siblings. Marie met and later married Hermann Saintelien.

After they met, Hermann and Marie moved to Nassau, Bahamas where they had their first two children together: Mary Chantal (“Tata”), and Frantz (“Fanfan”). Circumstances brought them back to Haiti where Hermann was able to purchase land to build a house for his family in Port-au-Prince. The couple’s third child, Harold (“Woolee”), soon blessed their home. In 1969 Hermann migrated to the United States. Several years of going back and forth to secure documents for the rest of the family to join him finally resulted in Marie coming to the United States (Nyack) on February 23, 1973 along with her three children. Later that year, Hermann Jr. (“Toto”) was added to the family.

Marie and Hermann worked hard to support their family in the US and Haiti. She worked several part-time “day work” jobs, until she was hired as a line worker at Glenshaw Glass Company in Orangeburg NY along with her husband, until the factory closed in the early 80’s. Later Marie was able to find a job at Pavion (Wet n Wild) cosmetics factory. She was eventually hired at Nyack Hospital in the housekeeping department, working her way up to supervisor until her retirement in 1998.

Marie and Hermann moved back to Haiti for their retirement, where she stayed until Hermann passed away in 2002. Marie was a counselor, prayer warrior, friend to many people young and old, sharing her words of wisdom and insight. She was also a great cook, an animated storyteller, a comedienne, and a practical joker. On January 2, 2022, Marie passed away surrounded by her family.

Marie is survived by her siblings: Denise, Sabine, Elsie, Paul, Hugh, Neville (pre-deceased), and Guy. Her children are: Jocelyne, Mireille, Beatrice, Mary Chantal (Sebastian), Frantz, Harold (Joy) and Hermann Jr. Marie unofficially adopted: Joelle, Emmanuel, and Rachelle (pre-deceased). Her step-children are: Gabriel, Russell, Maryse (pre-deceased) and Nerlande. The grandchildren are: Alexandra (“Mimie”), Richard, Michaela, Luckson, Roxxanne, Aubree, Chelsea, Kayla and step-grandchildren are: Gessy, Gabriel Jr., Dominique, Martine and Stephanie. She is also survived by a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Done in sorrow from the family.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022 from 8:30 to 9:30 AM at Living Christ Church, 151 S. Broadway, Nyack NY. A Funeral Service will also will be held at the same location on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 9:30 AM.