Marie Claude Tournesy

Marie Claude Tournesy "Didi" was born July 24, 1940 to Janine Tournesy and Courtilien Charles. She is from the Bainet and Jacmel provinces of Southern Haiti. She was living in Port-au-Prince, Haiti prior to moving to the United States of America. More specifically, she arrived in New York City in December of 1969. After living in the New York Tristate area for many years she relocated to Hollywood, FL in 1988. She lived there until her untimely death August 10, 2016.

She was a Sister, a Cousin, an Aunt, a Nurse, a Wife, a Mother, a Grandmother, Great-Grandmother.

She had 5 children:

Marly Claire Tournesy Logerie and Spouse

Jean Richard Tournesy and Spouse

Daniel Tournesy (deceased)

Tania Marissa Maranhao and Spouse

Preslere Joseph and Spouse

her Grandchildren:

Lydia Ford and Spouse

Chardaie Claire Charlemagne

Daniel Jonathan Charlemagne

Anthea Claeretha Charlemagne

Karine Nastachia Charlemagne

Jalmise Victor and Spouse

Isabella Heuser

Dexter Tournesy

Samantha Tournesy

Austin Tournesy

Aubrey Tournesy

Jaylin Joseph-Ambler

Jordan Joseph-Ayers

Jersey Joseph

Jonathan Ernst Charlemagne

her Great-Grandchildren:

Elijah Victor

Jadyn Victor

her Cousins:

Nicole Bynum

Mireille Cineas

Salva Alexandre

Yvette Mervilus

Pierre Cadichon

Family Tournesy

Family Loredan

Family Francois

George Charlemagne

Patrick Charlemagne

Jeff Bynum

Randy Raymond

Gina Gabrielle

Jean Cineas

Didi once said "there's an exception to every rule" and her life reflected that mantra. Born without much and loosing both parents at a young age, she eventually came to the United States from Haiti with a suitcase, no English, and no family. According to every rule, she should not have made it as far as she did. According to the rules both her and her children were doomed. Yet she rose in the face of adversity - tough as nails with a tender heart buried beneath a shell of strength. She was the exception. When things got tough for us she would say: "I know you're tired but remember that you have at least one person in your corner who loves you and is rooting for you always, so keep fighting." It made all the difference in the world.

To the woman who taught us to pray and fast on the floor in sackcloth, to the woman who mowed her own lawn and tended to her own garden at 76, and to the woman who always pulled us on the dance floor once that Kompa beat drop ... Your legacy lives on and you are forever written in our hearts.