Obituary of Cecile St. Arromand

The incomparable Cecile St Arromand entered the world on January 29, 1928. Born in Port-au-Prince to a tight-knit family led by her entrepreneur mother Marie "Grand Lou Lou" Decayette, Cecile was the youngest of two beloved sisters—Madonne ("DaDa") and Lamercie ("Manman'm)—and two adored brothers—Pierre and Jacques. Though Cecile's standing as the youngest meant she was well attended to, Cecile carved out a singular role in her family. In her life, she exuded excellence and came to be known for the way her refined tastes and high standards influenced her personal talents and transformed everything she touched. As a young woman in Haiti, Cecile graduated from school with a teaching degree, and worked as a teacher and as an administrative assistant. She fell in love and married the late Roger Joseph, a marine, and become mother to her pride and joy, her adored son Lionel ("Dady") Joseph. Lionel's mild manner and good looks charmed his mother to no end. She was smitten for life, and their mother/son bond was unmatched. Cecile's heart had room for so many children. She raised Lionel alongside her many nieces and nephews. She was foremost stern with children, yet also had a more playful, wisecracking style of disciplining ("Bundee!" is a preferred term she used to chide them). She instilled her exacting principals in them—how to properly groom oneself, how to set a table, how to organize belongings. These children and children of generations to come brought out a joyous enthusiasm in Cecile and developed in her a special caregiving skill that shaped so many relatives. The children, in turn came to know Cecile as an amazing cook (her meals were supremely delicious) and tough yet very sensitive person—she did not hold back her tears nor did she try. It showed how deeply her feelings ran, and how big her heart was. In 1963, Cecile seized the opportunity to emigrate to Brooklyn, USA. Though it meant going alone, she knew this was the opening to give her son and the rest of her family a better life. This was to be the boldest act of her life, and she carried it out with determination. Even when she was seriously burned at her hospital laundry room job, she did not want to worry her family in Haiti, so she suffered alone and underwent medical treatment without notifying them. After two years, she was able to send for her teen son, and together they lived with her newly-emigrated niece Viviane Rigaud and her husband Woolly Rigaud. Soon after, her sister Lamercie and niece Micheline ("Jou Jou") also joined the growing family members in Brooklyn. Old video footage taken by her nephew Woolly show a beautiful young Cecile laughing, dancing and thriving in the loving emotional support around her. Those early days mirrored the lifestyle she had in Haiti—close-knit family raising children side by side. The birth of Cecile's great niece/goddaughter Shirley ("Shelly"), the first of an American-born generation meant the world to Cecile, and the two shared such a strong bond, as a child Shirley called her Mommy. This relationship as well as the relationship with Shirley's sweet children Ana, Julia and Derek, was sweet preparation for Cecile's developing role as matriarch to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The lovely Natasha Joseph Freitas made Cecile a grandmother. This first grandchild was the girl Cecile had always dreamed of having—adorable, bright, strong-minded and a quick study of all the life skills Cecile passed on. Together, the two became a dynamic duo of ambitious women who positively impacted the world around them. Two years after Natasha's birth came Cecile's first grandson, Gary Joseph. A humble, handsome duplicate of Lionel, Cecile took doting to new dimensions and she poured a tender, unconditional love over Gary that will never run dry in all the many decades that lie ahead. With her third grandchild, the sweet and playful Vito Joseph's arrival, Cecile was by then a seasoned grandma and a skilled caregiver whose very act of laying her caregiving hands over his infancy and toddler years served as a loving, prayerful blessing to cover all his steps in life. Cecile lived with and helped to raise her grandchildren, proving the utmost care for them as a second mother. She doted, nagged, encouraged and taught them while witnessing their growth into stellar students, graduates, adults and parents. By God's grace, Cecile was blessed to introduce her signature style of rearing to a third generation. She became proud great grandmother to her four great grandsons—Brendyn, Prestyn, Ethan and Aulstyn—forming as close a relationship with them as with previous generations. She loved berating her grandsons to "Marche!" And they, in turn, love to serve her in their own ways, eager to take turns pushing her wheelchair in her final years, playing her favorite music, joining her in dance, having their own personal handshakes, and giving her endless affections with their unmatched hugs. Cecile's final years were challenging, but these challenges were no match for Natasha's steadfast and fierce commitment to caring for Cecile. Cecile continued to venture out, looking exquisitely coifed and dressed, always in heels, with Dady, Gary and the grandsons always at her side, celebrating every family milestone with her as normal. Her niece Evelyne exchanged stories with her, she loved to reminisce with her nieces Jou Jou and Mercia ("Chouppette") and Cecile continued to enjoy wisecracking and advising best practices to family around her. Cecile's great nieces and great nephews fondly remember her delectable meals that were unsurpassed by any 5-star restaurant. They also are forever changed by her high standards and admired how she placed a high value on herself and her family, while demanding the best and giving her best. Cecile was even one of the inspirations of her great niece Jackie's handmade skincare line. Through her memory lapses and her illness challenges, she did not compromise her values. The family new Cecile was having an off day when she didn't nag or fuss about her expectations. This spirit of excellence remained with Cecile until her last breath. The family recognizes Cecile as a pioneer for being the first to the US. She was here first and last of her generation to leave, like a captain of a ship that she steered toward a brand new future for the family legacy. She was tough on children because she was grooming them to always strive for more, to know their worth and to "Marche!" through life with high esteem. Cecile is survived by her son Lionel Joseph, her grandchildren Natasha Joseph Freitas, Gary Joseph and Vito Joseph, her great grandchildren Brendyn Freitas, Prestyn Freitas, Ethan Joseph, and Alustyn Freitas, her nieces and nephews Yves Lazarre, Micheline Napoleon, Mercia St. Cyrus, Evelyne Veix, Dr. Evens St. Cyrus, Melaide Joseph, Jean-Claude Nicaise, Guy Nicaise, her goddaughter Dr. Shirley Rigaud-Echols, and all her cherished great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this difficult time. Cecile's Life Celebration will include viewing on Saturday August 19 from 8:00-10:00 AM at Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, 150 Landing Road, landing, NJ. A prayer service will be offered at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Entombment will follow at Woodbridge Memorial Gardens, US Hwy 1 North, Woodbridge, NJ. Memorial donations can be made to a charity of a person's choice.