Obituary

Born in the Village of Bainet, Haiti to Denius Bonny and FortuneePetiote, Marie Gertrude was the third of four children.  Gertrude loved school, but left at a young age to help her parents work on the family farm.  Lovingly known as “Yan” by her friends and family, she enjoyed her work caring for the animals and crops.  She also treasured the time spent working alongside her father and siblings.

As a young girl, Gertrude was approached by a suitor, Moise Antoine.  Moise pursued Gertrude for many years unrelentingly. Respecting the culture and strict family guidelines, Gertrude did not want to court Moise without the approval of her family.  Finally, she directed him to seek the permission of her father.  After receiving her parents’ blessing, in 1942 the couple married in the village of Bainet, Haiti in a private 4:00am ceremony with only her parents, maid of honor and best man in attendance.  This couple was blessed with five children.  They were inseparable until his death in March, 1966 and she never remarried.     As a devoted, single mother and strict disciplinarian, she made sure that her children recognized the importance of education.  Consequently, she sent them to Jacmel and then to Port-au-Prince, Haiti to further and advance their education.

Gertrude was a pioneer of her time.As an entrepreneur she successfully owned and operated a fabric store in the Village of Bainet.  She and her husband also owned and operated a General Store in the same town.

Gertrude was a member of the Catholic Church, loved the Lord and was always praying for her family and friends.  In 1960, she converted to the Baptist Church because of her love and commitment to her husband.  After her husband’s passing she returned to her first love - the Catholic Church.                                                        

In 1970, at the age of 57, Gertrude moved to New York in search of a better life.  In spite of her language barrier, she worked numerous jobs.  Her employers admired her natural ability to perform her work with little instruction and little supervision. Gertrude held various jobs in maintenance, while also working as a cashier, store clerk and baker.

Gertrude loved to cook and excelled in the culinary arts.  Some of her favorite dishes were rice and beans, roasted chicken, squash soup and fried bananas.  Gertrude especially enjoyed her time spent traveling with her children in the United States and Canada.  She is best remembered for her lengthy conversations which she always claimed were for the benefit of keeping the driver awake.  We will always remember her response when asked to simply go to sleep — “pa fem fe move san” (Don’t make me angry!)

Other than a common cold, Gertrude was in good health until the age of 97.  She took ill and was admitted to a hospital where she was diagnosed with pulmonary disease.  Once treated, she was transferred to the Long Island Nursing Home Care where she resided.  Due to a brief discomfort, she was taken to Flushing Hospital where she passed away on August 17, 2016.  At age 102, Gertrude had a long life and was very passionate about it.

We are truly blessed to have had her in our lives and are grateful for her lessons, support and encouragement.  Our memories will live on remembering her as a strong, tireless, honorable, selfless and loving person.  She loved her family with all her heart and we experienced that love every day of our lives.    

Gertrude is survived by her five children, Pierre Flaubert (Marie Augusta) Antoine of Queens New York; Florence Jacques of LincolnNebraska; Georges Webert (Erine Marie) Antoine of Queens New York; Max Jacques Antoine of Lincoln Nebraska; and Philippe Michel (Marie Florence)

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