By Dessalines Ferdinand _____
MIARAMR, FL – The life of Franchette Thérèse Martine Rameau Antoine, affectionately known as “Miss,” was celebrated with deep emotion, dignity, and gratitude during a weekend of tributes that brought together hundreds of relatives, friends, clergy members, and community leaders from South Florida and beyond.
Mrs. Antoine, who passed away on April 18, 2026, at the age of 89 following three months of hospitalization due to a complicated illness, leaves behind a remarkable legacy rooted in education, faith, public service, and family. Her funeral services, held on Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Miramar, reflected the profound impact she had on generations of people in Haiti and throughout the Haitian diaspora.
The weekend began Friday evening with a tribute ceremony from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., where family members, close friends, and members of the Catholic community gathered in prayer and remembrance. The atmosphere inside the church was solemn, yet filled with admiration for a woman many described as compassionate, disciplined, generous, and deeply devoted to God.
Throughout the evening, several priests and religious leaders, including Father Reginald Jean-Mary, Father Cyprien Emile, and Father Youry Jules, along with loved ones, shared testimonies about Mrs. Antoine’s life and the countless people she inspired through her wisdom, humility, and service to others. Religious songs and spiritual reflections performed by Catholic groups and choirs, including Les Ambassadeurs de Jésus-Christ and Les Ténors, added to the emotional tribute. Soloist Monique Abraham also contributed to the moving atmosphere with a heartfelt musical performance.
The Funeral Mass Drew an Even Larger Crowd
On Saturday afternoon, the funeral Mass drew such a large crowd that St. Bartholomew Catholic Church reached full capacity, prompting church staff and family members to place additional chairs outside for guests unable to find seating indoors. The massive turnout illustrated the respect and admiration the community held for Mrs. Antoine and the strong bonds she built throughout her lifetime. Many attendees remained standing outside the church while following the ceremony with patience and respect, reflecting the deep affection people had for her and her family.
The funeral Mass was celebrated by several members of the clergy, including Bishop Pierre André Dumas, while Reverend Father Youry Jules delivered the homily.
In his message, Father Jules urged those in attendance to “live before you leave,” reminding them that when a person departs this world, what remains is the legacy they leave behind. He noted that many were present because, at some point in their lives, “Miss” had touched them or made a meaningful impact. He also invited the congregation to see her funeral not only as a moment of farewell, but also as an opportunity to reflect on how they live, serve, and treat others if they, too, wish to be remembered with the same love and respect shown to Mrs. Antoine.
Numerous priests participated in the services, a reflection of the family’s longstanding involvement in the Catholic Church and the spiritual influence Mrs. Antoine carried throughout her life.
A Community and Public Servant
Born on January 30, 1937, in Les Cayes, Haiti, Franchette Thérèse Martine Rameau Antoine dedicated much of her life to education and public service. After completing her studies at Séminaire Télémarque School in Les Cayes, she attended the École Normale de Martissant in Port-au-Prince, where she earned her teaching certification in 1960.
She later devoted 38 years of distinguished service to Haiti’s Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development, known as MARNDR, where she served in several capacities and earned widespread respect for her professionalism and commitment. During her career, she was twice awarded the Rank of Knight, or Grade de Chevalier, by the Haitian government, one of the country’s highest honors, along with several certificates of honor and merit from various institutions.
Family members described Mrs. Antoine as more than a public servant. She was a mentor, organizer, educator, entrepreneur, and spiritual pillar whose life revolved around helping others. Even after retirement, she continued serving vulnerable communities through her work with Saint Vincent School for Disabled Children in Port-au-Prince.
Her deep faith was evident throughout every part of the funeral services. Several speakers recalled one of her favorite sayings: “Jesus always knocks at one minute to midnight,” a phrase that captured her belief that God’s intervention often comes at the most difficult moment, just when human hope seems nearly exhausted. It reflected her unwavering trust in God and her constant encouragement to others never to lose faith. One of her favorite songs, “M’ap chante louanj pou ou” — “I’m Singing Praises to You” — was also performed twice during the Mass.
As a journalist, I also had the privilege of knowing Mrs. Antoine personally for nearly two decades. Beyond the public tributes and the memories shared during the funeral services, I will remember her through the many conversations we had about Haiti, its struggles, and its future. She spoke with conviction, wisdom, and deep attachment to the country that shaped her life. Those exchanges revealed a woman who remained engaged with the world around her, deeply concerned about her homeland, and hopeful that future generations would carry forward the values of dignity, education, faith, and service.
The ceremonies also highlighted the strong family foundation she built over generations. Mrs. Antoine leaves behind a large and accomplished family whose members are involved in various professional sectors, including education, healthcare, business, community service, and entrepreneurship. Children, grandchildren, relatives, and extended family members traveled from different cities and states to honor her memory and celebrate the extraordinary life she lived.
Several testimonies emphasized the important role she played in guiding and supporting not only her own children, but also many others within her community. Those who spoke described her as a woman of discipline and integrity who believed strongly in education, service, and family unity. Others remembered her elegant presence, her thoughtful advice, and the respect she naturally inspired wherever she went.
Among the dignitaries who addressed the audience during the Mass were Florida State Representative Marie Woodson and North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme. Their remarks added to the solemn yet uplifting atmosphere of the service, reflecting the high esteem in which Mrs. Antoine was held by her family, friends, and the broader Haitian American community.
The Repast: A Time for Reflection and Reunion
Following the funeral Mass, relatives and guests attended the repast at Bonaventure Town Center Club in Weston, where memories, stories, and reflections about Mrs. Antoine continued in an atmosphere filled with both sorrow and gratitude.
For many in attendance, the funeral also became an unexpected moment of reunion and reconnection. Old friends, former neighbors, classmates, and acquaintances from Haiti who had not seen or spoken to one another in 25, 30, and even 35 years found themselves embracing again while honoring Mrs. Antoine’s memory. Through shared memories, tears, laughter, and stories from the past, her farewell became more than a moment of mourning. It became a powerful reminder of the deep bonds, friendships, and sense of community that continue to unite Haitians across generations and across borders.
According to the funeral program, Mrs. Antoine requested that her life be celebrated rather than mourned and asked attendees to wear her favorite colors, blue and white. Many guests honored that wish, helping create a peaceful and uplifting atmosphere throughout the weekend.
Mrs. Antoine was laid to rest on Monday morning, May 11, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery in North Lauderdale in the presence of close family members, concluding a weekend of tributes celebrating her life, faith, and enduring legacy.
She leaves behind a loving family and a lasting legacy, including her husband, Renaud Antoine, nine children, many grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter, Lea Emilie Alexis. She is also survived by her brother, extended relatives, and numerous loved ones whose lives were touched by her faith, generosity, and dedication to serving others.
Though her passing leaves a tremendous void for her family and loved ones, those who gathered to celebrate her life made it clear that Franchette Thérèse Martine Rameau Antoine’s legacy will continue to live on through the many lives she touched, the values she passed down, and the generations she helped inspire.
In the end, Mrs. Antoine’s farewell was more than a funeral service. It was the celebration of a life well lived, a mission well fulfilled, and a legacy firmly planted in the hearts of those she leaves behind. Through her faith, her service, her love for Haiti, and the family she helped build, Franchette Thérèse Martine Rameau Antoine will continue to speak to future generations — not with words, but through the values, memories, and examples she left behind.
