Obituary

Obituary

Marie Elmise Merine, 90

October 2, 2021

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15

After battling COVID-19 and a massive heart attack, Marie Elmise Merine of Gettysburg, age 90, was taken to the Gettysburg hospital where she left her earthly body behind at 4:09 A.M. on October 2, 2021 and was transported into the eternal Kingdom of God.

Lovingly called “Manman” (pronounced mama) by her family, Marie was born on October 31, 1930 to Stangene and Clermise Eugene in Angibeau, Haiti. She married Joseph Hermann Merine, and together they had six children.

Manman Merine was preceded in death by her husband in 1988 and by one son, Jean Erol Merine in 2012. She was also preceded in death by a sister and a brother.

She is survived by five children and three daughter-in laws:

• her son, Annel Mannet Merine, husband of Marie Rosette of Orlando, FL;
• her daughter, Marie Mimose Merine of Gettysburg, PA;
• her son, Jacques Maxeau Merine, husband of Marie Kettly of Gettysburg, PA;
• her daughter, Marie Margaret Merine of Gettysburg, PA;
• her daughter, Bethie Celius, wife of Clotaire of Gettysburg, PA;
• her daughter in law, Martha Merine, wife of Jean Erol, deceased of Haiti.

She is survived by 17 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren in the United States. She is also survived by 2 sisters and 2 brothers in Haiti.

Manman Merine immigrated to the United States of America in the year 2000 and lived in Gettysburg, PA. She attended the First Baptist Church in Gettysburg. At home, she loved to read her Bible, listen to Haitian Christian music, dance with it and spend time with her family.

Manman Merine’s husband was a farmer; his source of income was completely dependent on weather conditions. If it did not rain, there was no crop of corn or potatoes. And even when conditions were favorable, the garden did not bring a harvest and the trees did not bear bananas or mangoes on a weekly basis.

Manman Merine did whatever it took to clothe and educate her children and try to give them a meal every day. Raising six children was not easy in a third world country. She would arise at 3:00 A.M. to go out to buy produce to resell. (We call that “retail” today!) Sometimes she would buy tomatoes or carrots. Other days, she bought water cress. After her basket was filled, it was often so heavy that it required two or three adults to help lift it to her head. Once the basket sat on her head, her neck and back were strong enough to carry it for many miles until she reached the “marketplace” to sell her produce. Manman Merine was a very, very tough woman.

Manman Merine was also a very caring, compassionate woman. For example, when other family members needed a place to live, she welcomed them to her tiny one room house – even though it meant there was nowhere for her to lay her own head at night and would require her to sleep upright in a corner of the room for many nights. She taught her children compassion by living it before their eyes.

Manman Merine loved God and sang, prayed and worshipped Him every day of her life. Now her family will celebrate her life and gratefully thank God for the legacy she left for them.

Yes, Manman Merine will be missed dearly: her smile, her gentle spirit, her ability to make good out of any circumstance and to always find a way to work things out, her caring heart, and her deep love for God and His Word.

She will be greatly missed by her family here, but there is no question that this saint of God has already been welcomed home by her Lord and Savior and reunited with family who went before her!

Manman Merine’s son, Mannet, will preside over her funeral service on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 9:30 A.M. at the First Baptist Church, 1015 Chambersburg Road, Gettysburg, PA. There will be a brief viewing at 9:00 A.M. prior to the service. Following the funeral service, a short graveside service will be held at Mt Olivet Cemetery, 725 Baltimore Street in Hanover, PA.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies….

 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”          

Proverbs 31:10, 27-31

If you have any questions, please direct them to [email protected]

Note: As we are all aware, life is currently not normal, therefore it will be required for each person to wear a mask and observe social distancing at the funeral. Thank you for respecting the wishes of the Merine family.