Zilia Compere

"When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too." This quote by the Brazilian author, Paul Coelho, perfect illustrates the attitude that my grandmother, Zilia, tried to have all her life. A very happy person, she had a contagious smile that friends and family could not help but catch. Even though she faced numerous hardships and setbacks, she was known for her enduring optimism. As always her positivity and cheerfulness shined through her speech and actions.

Zilia Compere died peacefully at her daughter's residence at the age of 88 on January 1, 2014. She had three children. She is survived by siblings Zina and her two children Florence and Raphael. Zilia had nine grandchildren. There names are Steve Registre, Myriam Belotte- Poligadu, Marc Registre, Sendy Belotte-Albert, Junior Belotte, Jeff Raphael, Peter Raphael and Cassandra Raphael. She was also blessed with seventeen great- grandchildren.

Zilia was the first of three children born to Mercie Mulatte and Jean Compere in Anse-Rouge, Haiti. As a child she moved to Port-au-Prince and later on worked as a hotel keeper. There she was able to travel to numerous countries and was able to start her own business abroad. She was a hard worker and was always looking for a better life.

Zilia was a simple woman who lived for one thing, her family. Her children were her pride and joy. She always went through extreme measures to ensure that her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren had a good quality of life. This is who Zilia Compere was. She was a woman of pride and dignity.

Stutzmann & Son, Queens Village, NY.