Dieudonne Desforges

 Dieudonne Desforges’s biography by her son, Frantz Dorvil

Dieudonne Desforges, who was fondly known as “Manmi Donne,” was born on April 21, 1927, in Quartier Morrin, a commune of Cap-Haitien. After moving to Cap-Haitien, she gave birth to 5 children, 2 girls and 3 boys: Marie Etienne, Jean Sème Codio the late Rosanne Desforges, Jean Sème Codio, Alix Georges, and I, Frantz Dorvil.

She lived for 75 years in Haiti before traveling to the United States to live with her eldest child, Marie Etienne, in Boston, where she peacefully passed away on July 10, 2022, at the age of 95.

As a single mother, Manmi Donne worked hard and painfully to raise her children. She made sure that we lacked nothing, which we are grateful for. She sometimes worked late at night so we could have better days. In addition to being courageous, honest, disciplined, charitable, and pious, she was also highly disciplined and dedicated.

Dieudonne Desforges had a great relationship with her family. It is obvious that she loved and cared for her children. She later cherished her grandkids, Mackendy Vilus, Edlene Vilus Jerry Etienne, Jennifer Codio, Rose Marline Martin, etc. The death of her third child, Rosanne Desforges, in her fifties, was one of the darkest moments in her life. For a parent, burying their child is difficult, and she mourned her for a long time.

Manmi Donne had a great relationship with her neighbors as well. It was easy to get along with her because she was so easygoing. She was like a second mother to my childhood friends; she always had a word of advice to share. They called her Manmie Donne or Auntie Donne. She was a very generous woman, she loved to give even when she had little. For every meal, she fixed a plate for everyone. While living in the US, she would still help her family and friends in Haiti when she had a little money.

Dieudonne Desforges was also a God-fearing woman. God and the Church were important to her. As a woman of faith who barely missed a mass at Notre Dame, she was fervent in prayer and encouraged us to follow the same path.

Today I can say that my dear mother left her mark on my life. Now she leaves a void in our heart that can be hardly filled.

A wake will be held on Saturday, July 30th from 9:00a.m to 10:30a.m in the Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home, 467 Bay St. Taunton MA 02780. A Funeral Mass will be be held at 11:00a.m in the St. Jude the Apostle Parish, 249 Whittenton St. Taunton MA 02780. Burial will take place at Mayflower Hill Cemetery, Taunton following the Mass.

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