Suzette Etienne

Suzette Etienne, affectionately known to many as Zette or Susie, was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Her life was a rich and generous tapestry defined by hard work, quiet strength, deep faith, and an unwavering love for her family—both near and far.

Suzette was born and raised in Haiti, where she spent her early years alongside her three sisters and one brother. Those formative years shaped her resilience and sense of responsibility. She worked in a factory during her youth, contributing to her household through diligence, discipline, and a willingness to do whatever was needed to sustain the family.

In 1967, seeking broader opportunities and a better life for her children, Suzette moved to the Bahamas. It was there that the next chapter of her life unfolded. She first worked in a hotel, a position she held for nearly ten years. Her natural warmth and unshakable work ethic made her a trusted and well-loved presence. Later, her entrepreneurial spirit led her to open a small food business out of her home, where she prepared Haitian cuisine with the same care and intention she brought to every part of her life. Her home became a gathering place—full of good meals, laughter, and connection.

Yet even as she built a new life abroad, Suzette remained steadfastly devoted to her family in Haiti. She sent clothing, food, and financial support back home for decades, treating this responsibility not as an obligation but as an expression of love. Supporting her family from afar became a lifelong duty—one she honored with pride, consistency, and a generous heart.

Before permanently relocating to the United States, Suzette played a foundational role in raising her grandson, Frank Metellus, first in the Bahamas and later in Miami. This became one of the great joys of her life. Suzette was a natural caregiver—patient, loving, protective, and endlessly devoted. Her influence shaped Frank’s childhood in countless ways, teaching him not just how to grow, but how to love.

When Suzette moved to Miami, she carried with her the same commitment to community and family that had defined her earlier years. She became a nanny, a role in which she thrived. The children she cared for—and their families—became lifelong extensions of her own. Many came to regard her as a second mother, a best friend, or a godmother. Suzette had a gift of enriching everyone’s life that she encountered.

Her days were full of simple pleasures that reflected her joyful, easygoing nature. She loved watching I Love Lucy, solving mysteries with Matlock, and laughing every Saturday night to In Living Color. She was rarely without a deck of cards, happily passing hours with her favorite game—Solitaire. And of course, her passion for cooking continued to flourish. In Miami, just as in the Bahamas, every meal was an invitation: a chance to gather, to talk, to connect, and to belong.

Suzette was a devoted woman of faith. She loved God with all her heart and was a member of St. James Catholic Church, where she found fellowship, purpose, and peace. Her faith grounded her through life’s challenges and guided the compassion she showed to everyone around her.

To those who knew her, Suzette—Zette, Susie—will forever be remembered for her generosity, humor, unshakeable faith, and deep capacity to love. She touched the lives of many, both those she met in person and those she continually supported from afar. She leaves behind cherished memories and the enduring values she lived by: kindness, integrity, community, and generosity.

Her life was full, textured, and meaningful, and she was profoundly grateful for every part of it.

Suzette passed away peacefully on November 30, 2025. She will be deeply missed by her family, her extended family-by-love, and all who were fortunate enough to be held in the warmth of her presence.

She is survived by her children: Kelly Etienne and Juptienne Etienne; Step-sons: Satima Alzee (Dieuvinette) and Lucane Alzee; Grandchild: Frank Metellus (Marsha); Great-grandchild: Kelsey Metellus; Sister: Ida Etienne Nejean; Godchildren: Wilnex Eugene and Nickelle Decius, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Extended families: Chery’s, Decius’, Leo’s,and Pierre’s.

Visitation will be held at St. James Catholic Church, 13155 NW 7th Avenue, North Miami, Florida 33168, on December 12, 2025, from 10:30am to 11:00am.

The funeral service will take place at St James Catholic Church, located at 13155 NW 7th Ave, North Miami, FL 33168, on December 12, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

The burial will be at Caballero Rivero Southern Memorial Park, 15000 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, Florida 33181, immediately after the service.