Nita "Gran Tata" Lucie Ercilien

Nita Lucie Ercilien was born on April 19, 1929 in the beautiful Southern hillside town of Morpeau, a district in Les Cayes, Haiti. She was born to a young couple by the name of Elius Ercilien and Saintcelia Severe who cultivated the land to provide for their cherished daughter and two younger children, Elvire “Tit” and Enel. Nita’s parents died when she was really young, but she was fortunate enough to go live with her grandmother who the town members lovingly called, Gran Ti Bol. Her grandmother wanted to expand her granddaughter’s opportunities and enrolled her in the local elementary school to further her education. However, when Gran Ti Bol found out her little granddaughter was being harshly disciplined at school and receiving daily beatings, she immediately removed her. Gran Ti Bol proceeded to teach her granddaughter the same way generations of women before taught outside of a typical schoolhouse. She taught her basic survival skills and how to care for a household.

Shortly thereafter, Nita’s Aunt Idalia decided to leave Cuba and move to Haiti. When Idalia arrived, she volunteered to take care of her little niece full time. Nita, who her family and friends lovingly nicknamed “Tata” by this point, moved to the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince with Aunt Idalia. She was raised with her aunt’s other children and learned how to live with others. Aunt Idalia did not re-enroll Nita in school, but decided to open a new restaurant. She trained Tata in her life’s trade of cooking. Nita transformed into a talented cook and chef who repaid her aunt’s kindness by working loyally for years in her restaurant. Eventually Nita grew up to become a lovely young woman who turned heads wherever she went with her docile manner and engaging smile. It is at the restaurant one day she met up with a handsome local tourist guide, Walter Blain, who caught her eye. They fell in love and had six children together. The first child and second child passed away, but their third child, Marie Yolette Blain, became the apple of their eyes. Then their fourth and fifth child passed away, but their sixth child, Walter Fils Blain, would survive and he would be their only son from the union.

Nita met every challenge and opportunity life dealt her. She became a stay-at-home mother whose sole mission was to care for her children throughout their lives. Nita and Walter eventually separated when Marie was 7 years old. Nita harnessed her inner strength and became an at-home-entrepreneur. She had a local following when she started making fresh, organic peanut butter and custom jellies for sale. Eventually, Tata met another love of her life, Pappy Jean, who she credits with showing her love and helping to raise her children like his own. Nita did not let any hardship stop her and re-entered the workforce in her early 30s when she got hired as a cook at L’hopital General in the capital. She was popular with all the medical staff because they looked forward to the special meals she would prepare for them. Nita always said she did her best to feed them to make sure they would take care of the patients well. Nita was later promoted to head chef and assistant. Her colleagues were heartbroken when she retired after several decades of service.

Tata helped raise two accomplished children and was loved throughout her neighborhood. Marie graduated and worked at the National Office of Tourism and her son Walter became a Civil Engineer. All her children’s school friends would stop by daily to enjoy the warmth and comfort her home provided. Tata lived with neighbors as though they were family members. Even in her golden years, Tata would receive visits and calls from neighborhood children who remembered her loving ways. When Tata’s two children emigrated to other parts of the world, she followed suit. Nita emigrated to Canada and became a citizen there. She was happy to support her son Walter and help raise her grandchildren, Savio, Wana, Wander, Bernady Cherisma, Benji and Junior. Tata would travel back and forth to Haiti and spend vacations in Miami, Fl visiting her daughter Marie, son-in-law Jean and her first grandchild, Belinda, “Bebe”. Belinda lovingly called her “Gran” and her nickname “Gran Tata” resonated with all of her loved ones.

Gran Tata was known as a humble and sweet soul. She always had a warm smile to share with others and loved to bless them with her gifts of great cooking and hospitality. Gran Tata passed on those precious gifts to her daughter and other members of her family. She also loved the family she left behind in Les Cayes and encouraged her children to care for them. Gran Tata accepted Christ as her personal savior in her latter years but said she never regretted the decision. Gran Tata made it a priority to go to church and loved her entire church family and pastors. She learned about God’s love over the years and began to see His loving handprints on her life since she was born. It is that unconditional love that taught her how to persevere through numerous medical hardships and the other challenges life threw at her with a sense of grace, strength and endurance.

Gran Tata was called back home to rest on the evening of February 4, 2024 after many health battles. She was blessed to have many of God’s angels on earth supporting her with friendship, prayers, visits, medical guidance, etc. She went home peacefully with her daughter and granddaughter holding her hand as she reunited with her Savior. She led a beautiful and rich life during her blessed 94 years. Her legacy of love will be cherished forever.

Grant Tata is survived by her daughter Marie Yolette Jeanty and son Walter Fils Blain

Grandchildren: Belinda Jeanty-Gauthier, Anne “Marie-Michelle” Jeanty-Borgela, Nikinson Jeanty; Savio Blain, Wander Blain, Wana Blain, Benji Blain, Walter Junior Blain, Bernady Cherisma, Gerandin Romulus, Ricardo Kempes Bourdeau, and Jenny Bourdeau

Great-grandchildren: Youri, Nikinson Jr., Jennifer, Nikki, Gabrielle, Tashnike, Dalysha, Dashly, Adasah, Elyanah

Nephews/Nieces/Great-nieces & nephews (Ercilien Family): Jacqueline (Coeurline, Kerns, Reginald); Julner (Kenley, Spencia, Julanda, Gigi, Savina, Lens); Fritzner (Kerlie, Alycha, Richardly); Clarel (Judeline, Richmond, Stanley, Thamar, Roudly); Jeanel (Kerjens, Dimitri, Juelande); Fritz “Fito”(Roseline, Fortin, Kethia-Madame Patrice, David, Fortuna, Christine, Billy, Carlos); Raymond (Eubencia, Emmanuela, Eliazard, Dede); Vernette (Djoulaisa); Rosette (Pharah, Naphtalie, Taina);

Special Loved Ones: Jeanette Rizeme; Louis Joseph Tataille; Marie Carole Mont-Louis & Family, Mommy Yvanne, Jude, Eric & Family; Emma Magalie St. Fleur & Family; Osee, Ananie “Diaspora,” Wagner & Desir Family; Valcin Family; Atis Family; Gauthier Family; Aline Vilus & Family; Anne “Ma Tante Tata”, Florise & Dossous Family; Marie Gaetan, Marie Marthe, Edna, Marie Yolene, Yolette, Mytha, Shekinah Evangelical Center, & First Haitian Church of God