On Tuesday June 2, 2020 at 3:00 PM, Marie Therese Casimir, affectionally known as “MaTante Marie ” (Aunt Marie) took her final breath in North Miami, Florida. During her eighty-eight years of life Marie embraced adversity with a sense of passion and faith in tomorrow that was clearly inspiring.
Marie Casimir was born in Port-Salut, Haiti on April 16, 1932 to Julien and Servilie Darbouze. Marie had two siblings, Joseph Fritz Darbouze and Phedre Darbouze. At the age of fourteen, Marie Casimir’s parents both died within months of one another in 1946.
Marie was initially placed in an orphanage in Le Cayes, Haiti. She attended Immaculate Conception Vocational School where she learned dressmaking and later taught at that same school. At some time, Marie came to live with her Aunt, Anna Fortin, and her cousins Clarence Fortin, Memoise Fortin, and Tinana Fortin in Port-Salut, Haiti.
In 1960, Marie Casimir met and married Fresnel Casimir, who was also orphaned as a child. In Haiti, their union gave birth to Francois Gregory Casimir and Valentina Ketlie Casimir.
Marie and Fresnel made their way from their impoverished and politically unstable Haiti to Brooklyn, New York in the mid-1960s. Initially, like most immigrants, the entire family could not all leave together. Francois and Valentina would have to join them later.
Marie Casimir initially worked as a seamstress in garment factories throughout New York City. While her husband, Fresnel drove a cab. In the United States they gave birth to Gary Casimir. Eventually the entire family came together in their home in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Marie Casimir was always trying to better herself. In New York City, while working multiple jobs, Marie took secretarial classes and eventually health care courses to become a certified health aid. Although Marie took pride in all types of labor, what defined her occupationally was her entrepreneurial drive and deep inherent belief that you can build great things with economic discipline. She was often heard to say “it’s not how much you make; it’s how much you save” that will make the difference.
Marie Casimir, while working in different professions that did not pay very well, persistently accumulated savings to fuel her real estate development ambitions. Marie’s monetary discipline and spirit allowed her to develop and manage multiple investment properties In New York City and Miami Florida. Her real estate success did not come easy and the work was relentless, but Marie thrived in adversity. At 80, Marie, using a walker, was still looking for good real estate deals.
Although successful in business, Marie Casimir was far more known for her unselfish and giving manner. Her home was always open to friends and family in need of a place to stay or something to eat. Marie never denied anyone who came to her door. Marie’s house in Brooklyn was the first stop for dozens of people who were making the transition from Haiti to the United States. She not only gave shelter and food, but she helped them secure jobs and provided advise to help them succeed. Marie open her home and heart always with a sense of pride and strong unwavering belief that we can overcome.
Marie Casimir is survived by her husband of sixty years, Fresnel Casimir, her children, Valentina, Francois and Gary, her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and an extended family of friends that shared in Marie’s phenomenal life.
The family will be celebrating her life with Visitation on Thursday June 11th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens South located at 2401 Davie Road, Davie Florida. A Funeral Mass will take place on June 12th at 10:00 am at Saint David’s Catholic Church in 3900 South University Drive, Davie, Florida. Her internment, final blessing and repass will immediately follow at Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens South.
Marie’s final instructions “I want lots of flowers”.
Flowers will be received by Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens South located at 2401 Davie Road, Davie Florida.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18