Obituary for Merle Annette Lucille Joseph
Merle Annette Lucille Joseph, was born on September 8, 1946 in Edinboro, St Vincent. She was the second child born to the late Fitzroy Nymphias and Lucille Yvonne Eustace.
Merle was a beautiful woman in body, but even more so in character. She was kind, intelligent thoughtful, honest, and incredibly trustworthy. She was a confidant to many. If you had the privilege to call her a friend, you know your secrets would never leave her lips. She also had a very good sense of humor with an arsenal of quips that would rival and comedian. Her essence, however, is most characterized by her sincere and unwavering faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is deep faith that sustained her all the days of her life.
Throughout her children, she thoroughly enjoyed swimming at the beach. While there, she would often climb the mountainous terrain and bravely jump off cliffs into the sea below. She was also fond of spending afternoons going to the matinee with her family and friends. From an early age. Merle assisted her mother in making wedding cakes and other baked goods, pastries, and delicacies. Though she did not have a big appetite, she had her fill of Julie mangoes, roasted breadfruit, and her mother's famous homemade bread.
Merle attended Ms. Louis John's Private Elementary School and went to secondary school at St. Vincent Girls High School. She was a bright student and excelled in history. Her love of history also fostered her passion for travel and adventure. This passion would carry her over the Atlantic Ocean shortly after her graduation from secondary school.
Merle migrated to Canada in May of 1967 and was employed as a teller at a local bank in Toronto. However, her stay was short-lived due to her dislike of the extreme cold and snowy weather. She also desired a career in which she could truly make an impact and be fulfilled.
In August of 1968, Merle embarked on a new and rewarding path as she began studying to become a nurse. She commenced her training at Mile End Hospital, a small independent teaching hospital in the East End of London, England. At Mile End, she proved herself to be a highly skilled and compassionate nurse. During school breaks she took time to travel across Europe on many sightseeing tours. Finally in 1971, after three years of intense training, Merle proudly graduated as a State Registered Nurse (SRN) and was awarded the Prize for Nursing by her matron, Miss Elizabeth Watt. Following her graduation, she worked as a staff nurse and then on the male urology ward. Merle also completed a two-part training course, spanning a year, to become a State Certified Midwife (SCM). She also pursued a module in psychiatric nursing before gaining experience at the Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit at Mount Vernon Hospital. After six months of caring for burns patients, Merle decided to pursue pediatric nursing, but this new journey would take her across the pond to the United States of America.
Merle moved to Searcy, Arkansas in the late 1970s, where worked at White County Memorial Hospital. During her time at White County Memorial, she became head nurse and was known for her adept and attentive care. By the end of the decade, she made her final transition in her career and moved to Brooklyn, New York. She was employed at Brookdale Hospital where she continued to provide excellent care to her patients. Merle would often recall her interaction with patients with AIDS before it was fully known how the disease was transmitted. Those were perilous times, but she rose to the occasion with great poise, grace, and courage.
In the early 1980s, Merle met Jean Marie Joseph. On January 9, 1982, they were married in St. George's Cathedral in St. Vincent. In 1983 they welcomed their first daughter, Sharista, followed by their second daughter Meekaelle in 1984.
Merla took her role as wife and mother very seriously. During this chapter of her life, she supported her husband in the running of his pharmacies whilst lovingly doting on her daughters. She raised them to truly know and trust the Lord, and in all that she did, she put their best interests before her own. Just like her mother, Merle enjoyed teaching her girls how to bake. With a cup of tea in hand, she would gently instruct them how to cream butter and sugar. After putting her girls to bed at night, she continued her studies: and in 1990 she earned a bachelor's degree in Community Health, with honors, from St Joseph's College. She was truly a motivated, selfless, and godly woman.
Merle is survived by her loving daughter Sharista and Meekaelle and their husbands Adriel and Michael: her stepdaughters Carmel and Shirley and their husbands Daniel and Gregory: her grandchildren Seraiah, Melea, Michael Jr., Malachi, and Mackenzie: her stepgrandson Aaron; her brother Arnhim and his wife Jennifer; her niece Maia; her nephews Ajene and Ganu; her sisters-in-law Nuelin, Nicole and Jocelyne; her brothers-in-law Fritz Edouard, Louis, Roger, and Mark; and many nieces, nephews, family members and daer friends.
She was predeceased by her brother, Garnet Eustace, and her husband of 37 years, Jean Marie.
Merle was a remarkable woman with a sincere and loving spirit. She will truly be missed, but we call all rest assured that she is freely resting in the arms of her Creator. "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.-John 11:25
Sharista and Meekaelle would like to acknowledge their mother's team of aides that took great care of her. Thank you to Janelle, Catherine, and Rita who lovingly cared for Mummy. A very special thanks to Pat, Mummy's longest serving aide, whose culinary skills ensured Mummy had nourishing meals that reminded her of her childhood in St. Vincent. Pat also provided great campanionship to her over four years of service. We are Eternally grateful
Merle was a beautiful woman in body, but even more so in character. She was kind, intelligent thoughtful, honest, and incredibly trustworthy. She was a confidant to many. If you had the privilege to call her a friend, you know your secrets would never leave her lips. She also had a very good sense of humor with an arsenal of quips that would rival and comedian. Her essence, however, is most characterized by her sincere and unwavering faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is deep faith that sustained her all the days of her life.
Throughout her children, she thoroughly enjoyed swimming at the beach. While there, she would often climb the mountainous terrain and bravely jump off cliffs into the sea below. She was also fond of spending afternoons going to the matinee with her family and friends. From an early age. Merle assisted her mother in making wedding cakes and other baked goods, pastries, and delicacies. Though she did not have a big appetite, she had her fill of Julie mangoes, roasted breadfruit, and her mother's famous homemade bread.
Merle attended Ms. Louis John's Private Elementary School and went to secondary school at St. Vincent Girls High School. She was a bright student and excelled in history. Her love of history also fostered her passion for travel and adventure. This passion would carry her over the Atlantic Ocean shortly after her graduation from secondary school.
Merle migrated to Canada in May of 1967 and was employed as a teller at a local bank in Toronto. However, her stay was short-lived due to her dislike of the extreme cold and snowy weather. She also desired a career in which she could truly make an impact and be fulfilled.
In August of 1968, Merle embarked on a new and rewarding path as she began studying to become a nurse. She commenced her training at Mile End Hospital, a small independent teaching hospital in the East End of London, England. At Mile End, she proved herself to be a highly skilled and compassionate nurse. During school breaks she took time to travel across Europe on many sightseeing tours. Finally in 1971, after three years of intense training, Merle proudly graduated as a State Registered Nurse (SRN) and was awarded the Prize for Nursing by her matron, Miss Elizabeth Watt. Following her graduation, she worked as a staff nurse and then on the male urology ward. Merle also completed a two-part training course, spanning a year, to become a State Certified Midwife (SCM). She also pursued a module in psychiatric nursing before gaining experience at the Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit at Mount Vernon Hospital. After six months of caring for burns patients, Merle decided to pursue pediatric nursing, but this new journey would take her across the pond to the United States of America.
Merle moved to Searcy, Arkansas in the late 1970s, where worked at White County Memorial Hospital. During her time at White County Memorial, she became head nurse and was known for her adept and attentive care. By the end of the decade, she made her final transition in her career and moved to Brooklyn, New York. She was employed at Brookdale Hospital where she continued to provide excellent care to her patients. Merle would often recall her interaction with patients with AIDS before it was fully known how the disease was transmitted. Those were perilous times, but she rose to the occasion with great poise, grace, and courage.
In the early 1980s, Merle met Jean Marie Joseph. On January 9, 1982, they were married in St. George's Cathedral in St. Vincent. In 1983 they welcomed their first daughter, Sharista, followed by their second daughter Meekaelle in 1984.
Merla took her role as wife and mother very seriously. During this chapter of her life, she supported her husband in the running of his pharmacies whilst lovingly doting on her daughters. She raised them to truly know and trust the Lord, and in all that she did, she put their best interests before her own. Just like her mother, Merle enjoyed teaching her girls how to bake. With a cup of tea in hand, she would gently instruct them how to cream butter and sugar. After putting her girls to bed at night, she continued her studies: and in 1990 she earned a bachelor's degree in Community Health, with honors, from St Joseph's College. She was truly a motivated, selfless, and godly woman.
Merle is survived by her loving daughter Sharista and Meekaelle and their husbands Adriel and Michael: her stepdaughters Carmel and Shirley and their husbands Daniel and Gregory: her grandchildren Seraiah, Melea, Michael Jr., Malachi, and Mackenzie: her stepgrandson Aaron; her brother Arnhim and his wife Jennifer; her niece Maia; her nephews Ajene and Ganu; her sisters-in-law Nuelin, Nicole and Jocelyne; her brothers-in-law Fritz Edouard, Louis, Roger, and Mark; and many nieces, nephews, family members and daer friends.
She was predeceased by her brother, Garnet Eustace, and her husband of 37 years, Jean Marie.
Merle was a remarkable woman with a sincere and loving spirit. She will truly be missed, but we call all rest assured that she is freely resting in the arms of her Creator. "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.-John 11:25
Sharista and Meekaelle would like to acknowledge their mother's team of aides that took great care of her. Thank you to Janelle, Catherine, and Rita who lovingly cared for Mummy. A very special thanks to Pat, Mummy's longest serving aide, whose culinary skills ensured Mummy had nourishing meals that reminded her of her childhood in St. Vincent. Pat also provided great campanionship to her over four years of service. We are Eternally grateful