Marie Melucie Lamerique, age 103, went to be with her Lord on the morning of Saturday, June 15, 2019. She passed in her sleep in her home in Dorchester, Massachusetts with her son, Gerard, by her side. Cicie, as she was lovingly known by her family and friends, lived a full life on her own terms. She was born on February 9, 1916 in Jacmel, Haiti, the second to last of ten offspring’s of Surin Lamerique and Angelimise Petit-Charles. Cicie was a hard-working woman from the beginning. She was an entrepreneur before it was in vogue. At the age of 16, she moved to the capital city of Port-au-Prince, where she resided in the Bizoton neighborhood. This was a family community and believed in the “it takes a village…” concept to support
each other’s wellbeing. In her teens, with limited education, she started her own drop off laundry service business for the Haitian Coast Guard service people since she lived across the street from the base. She was a self-taught straw hatmaker, shoemaker, and food vendor. One of her many hobbies was embroidery, gardening, and canning. Cicie always made a way to take care of herself and her family. She was a proud woman and never let life’s circumstances hold her down. She lived a challenging life, but never complained. “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” was truly the motto she lived by. Cicie, had three children, Roland
(deceased in 1986), Gerard, and Marie Elsie (deceased in 1978).
Cicie moved to the United States in 1986, to live with her son Gerard and daughter-in-law, Edline in Boston. Then she became a “snowbird” and resided in Orange Park, Florida with her niece, Marie Claude (Jean-Louis) Franck and family from 1987 to 2009. While there, she was a pillar of the church of First Haitian Baptist Church of Green Cove Springs, Florida. She was the Treasurer, a position well suited for her, for all those who knew her. Her discipline and commitment to do the Lord’s work, enabled her to do his work with joy and dedication. She broke many hearts when she shared that she would move back to Boston in 2009 to be closer to her son, grandkids, and great-grandson. Once again, she became the pillar of Tabernacle Baptist Congregation in Roslindale, Massachusetts.
Cicie was a praying woman, who lived her life for the Lord. She always stated, “I have nothing to give you, but to pray for you!” She read her bible multiple times daily and never skipped her daily worship. She would never tire to pray for you or to be everyone’s secret banker. Cicie was an honest woman, who did not mince words. Her stern exterior masked her inner jokester and fun-loving character. If you did not know her heart, you may mistake her directness, but a more loving woman there will never exist.
After 103 years, she will be missed by family and friends and just a few of many, many, many loved ones are mentioned below. Cicie is survived by her son, Gerard Lamerique, daughter-in-law, Edline, grandchildren - Michael (Tahira), Nancy, and Vanessa Lamerique; great-grandchildren, Michael Jr. and Camille Lamerique; nephews - Fritz Lamerique (Lili-deceased) and Andre Jean-Louis (Carmen); nieces -Marie Claude Franck (Guy), Jacqueline Lamerique (deceased), Alourdes Florestal (Jacob), Alberthe Simeon (Wilson); grandnieces - Dorothy Arnwine, Shirley and Michelle St Juste, Joanne Harrison, Martine Occeas, Micheline La Rochelle, Zahrah Ademia; grandnephews - Clifford and Juvens Jean-Louis, Gregory and Eddie Mathurin, Burwick, Kerby, and Jeffrey Florestal, Nesley and Joseph (deceased) Lamerique, and a whole host of great-grands and great-great-grands not mentioned.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 9:30am at the Tabernacle Baptist
Congregation, 575 American Legion Highway, Roslindale, MA. Burial will follow the service. The
Repass (Funeral Reception) will be hosted at the church following the burial at 12:15pm. The family will greet friends at the church at 8:30am for the viewing until the start of the service