Clairmena Jean Pierre

 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Clairmena Jean Pierre, a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, who reached the incredible age of 94. Clairmena was born on August 21, 1930, to her late parents, Gene Jean Pierre and Celicia Ambroise, in Lavalle Jacmel, Haiti. 

             While in Haiti, Clairmena worked as a cook, locally, and enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. She loved when guests would come over, because it would allow her to watch others enjoy her food. Cooking was a passion of hers, most of our memories of Clairmena involve her in the kitchen cooking dinner, cooking for parties and for major holidays. 

               She had four kids, survived by only one, her dear daughter and primary caretaker Monique, who she lived with until she passed. Family was very important to her, as well as, helping those in need. Along with her own children, she raised many other children in her lifetime, that look up to her and refer to her as “Mom” and “Grandma” to this day, such as Guerline, Sabrina, Bryan, and Mikerson. She also babysat for a lot of families, who entrusted her with raising their kids from a young age. She made lasting friendships with those parents, so much so that, they would have more kids and bring those kids to her too. 

                   She is referred to as the “Poto Mitan,” a pillar of strength for her family. Many people were amazed by her strength. She was a fighter. She never let her age limit her, she kept her independence til the very end. In 1989, after the birth of her first grandchild, she made her first trip to the United States to help her daughter raise her son. After going back and forth for many years, finally in 1996 she decided to stay in New York for good. It was the love for her grandchildren that kept her here. She was a loving grandmother that would do anything for her grandchildren. Even if it involved dressing in funny costumes for the holidays, or wearing silly shirts for her birthday, she always did so with a smile. 

                    She is survived by her daughter, Monique, her son-in-law David Macean, her grandchildren, James, Marvin, and Jessica, her sister Lucienne Payen, and her adopted daughters Marie Claude Payen and Marie Carmelle Desiste, as well as her adopted son Jean Wilner Desiste, her nieces, her nephews, her grandnephews, her grandnieces, her cousins, and the rest of the Jean-Pierre and Desiste Family.

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