Marie Elia Demosthenes' Obituary
Today we cherish and remember a woman who loved the Lord and praised His Holy Name in everything she did and wherever she went. "Bondye beni w," were the first words you heard when she answered the telephone. Do you know Jesus? Jesus loves You. Are you a Christian? Do you go to church? These were the words she used every day to spread the love and salvation of Jesus Christ to her family, friends, and strangers alike. On March 9, 2024, Marie departed from this world to go home to her Heavenly Father. She will be missed by so many.
Marie Elia Demosthenes (nee Rintus) was born on December 8, 1942 in L'Artibonite, Haiti to Bare Rintus and Mercilia Saintelot (nee Mesi). Although Marie did not get an opportunity to receive a formal education, she learned to read and write on her own and took every opportunity to read and study the Bible for the rest of her life. The daughter of farmers, Marie grew up to marry a farmer. Marie married Joseph Madsen Demosthenes and had five children who survived to adulthood, Marcellus, Asnath, Marie Kersaint, Linda (deceased 01/03/2021), and Suzie. Marie and Joseph worked side by side in Haiti to raise their children, pay for their formal educations, and move the family to Port-Au-Prince.
In 1974, Marie migrated to the United States to join her husband in seeking a better life for their family. They eventually settled in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
They had three additional children, Georgiana, Dorothy, and Kathy. Marie worked full-time at Sarne, a handbag manufacturing company, and also provided rides to co-workers and was an Avon representative. Through hard work and determination, Marie and Joseph were able to sponsor all five older children to immigrate to the United States in 1982.
Marie loved the Lord and was an active member of the Church of God shepherded by Pastor Karl Joseph. Marie was a big believer in the biblical saying, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," and could be seen every Sunday driving her large family to church in her long white Econoline Van. Marie enjoyed sewing clothes for herself and her daughters. She also enjoyed the simple pleasures of life such as going on family trips and visiting relatives in Canada, Mexico, California, Atlantic City, Georgia, New York City, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Not a fan of airplanes, Marie travelled across the United States alone, from Florida to California by Greyhound to visit her daughter and grandchildren.
In 1988, Marie moved with her husband and minor children to Lantana, Florida. She worked as a Sampler at Sam's Club until her retirement. It was there that she earned the name of Marie, the Christian Lady. Whether she was talking to customers or co-workers, she always carried the message of the love of Christ. She was loved and admired by those co-workers. In her retirement, she turned her love of sewing and her skills as a farmer to sew clothing and grow trees that she sold at Ti Mache (flea market) every Saturday. Marie also used this as an opportunity to serve the Lord. She always carried Christian tracks and leaflets that she distributed to share the Word and her love of Jesus. Marie was a member of the Salem Community Church of God until her passing. In her hospital bed, she found great comfort in joy in listening (and sometimes sing along) to their Haitian Christian Praise songs via YouTube.
Marie's legacy lives in her children, beloved nieces and nephews, friends, church members, co-workers, and especially her grandchildren, all of whom have cherished memories that will live with them for the rest of their lives. In closing, Marie lived her life for the Lord. In remembrance of Marie, won't you take the time to focus on your relationship with your God and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, if you haven't done so already. As Marie would tell you, Jesus loves you!
Marie leaves to cherish her memory, her children; Marcellus, Asnath, Kersaint, Suzie, Georgiana, Dorothy and Kathy, her grandchildren; Dadnick, Gino, Briana, Emma, Daniel, Ysabel, Kamille, Kailani, Kenai, Penelope and Preston. Countless nieces and nephews both near and far. Also church friends and neighbors.
There’s not a place Marie would go without telling people that Jesus Love them.
What’s your fondest memory of Marie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marie?
Share a story where Marie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marie you’ll never forget.
How did Marie make you smile?
