Marie Chalcina Charles, also known as Amarante Seraphin, passed away peacefully at Cambridge Hospital on July 31, 2026.
Born in Gonaïves, Haiti, to Erzulei Charles and Marius Seraphin, Marie lived a life defined by resilience, faith, generosity, and unwavering love for her family. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Magloire Chatelain, whose passing at a young age left her to raise their three sons: Jean Robert Chatelain, Aristide Joseph Chatelain, and Francois Chatelain. Through determination and entrepreneurial spirit, she provided not only for her own children but also for many nieces and nephews by buying and selling goods internationally.
Marie emigrated from Haiti to Guadeloupe in 1975 before settling in New York in 1982 to reunite with her family. She later made Somerville, Massachusetts her home for nearly four decades, where she became a cherished member of her church and neighborhood. Whether sharing a meal, a cup of coffee, or a conversation, she built community wherever she went.
She is survived by her three sons, her brother Benjamin Seraphin, her sister Marie Lourdes Seraphin and many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren whose lives continue to reflect her enduring legacy. She will be remembered for her fiery spirit and her ability to care for others as though they were family.