Elisabeth Salomon Duchatellier

Queen Elisabeth Salomon Duchatellier (Mom) was born in Port Salut, Haiti on February 4, 1945 to Roland Salomon & Melifaite Manuel. She was the daughter of a seamstress, along with her two siblings—a brother and a sister. Their economic conditions did not allow Mom to pursue advanced education; however, she was able to learn the trade that her mother used to raise them. In the mid-1960s, Mom met Thomas (Toto) Duchatellier. She immediately fell in love and bore her first child, Jacques. The following year, she had their second child, Jean. On July 20, 1968, Mom and Toto were married. At the time, Toto had children of his own. From that time until her closing moments on earth, Mom accepted all of Toto’s children as her own. She never distinguished any difference between all of his and their children. Later on, they had their third child, Madeleine. Due to the improbability of attaining the success they desired in Haiti, Mom and Toto, were encouraged and helped by Toto’s sister to move to the United States. Mom remained back in Haiti while caring for the children until they could find good settlement in the United States. Soon after Mom traveled to the United States with Toto and their nine children to live in a modest apartment in Brooklyn, New York. After some time, Mom bore her last child, Fritz. In 1976, Mom and Toto purchased their first home, a modest two-bedroom house in Queens, New York. Both, Mom and Toto, worked in factories making the bare minimum to take care of their ten children, ensuring they had everything they needed. Mom worked in a factory that made toys. Occasionally, she would bring toys from work that always brought joy to her young children. At some point after leaving her factory work and because of her passion to help people, Mom took a job as a home health aid where she cared for an elderly woman. Mom also brought along her seamstress skills that she used to make things that helped to defray the costs of purchasing goods. She invested in patterns that she used to develop various clothing items. She would also make windows curtains and other things that were needed. Mom was very meticulous in everything she did. She was not quite the perfectionist; however, you can tell through her work that she always paid close attention to detail. Mom was a very strong woman. She took on the responsibility of supporting Toto’s six children with no doubt, then having an additional four children. She never hesitated to do whatever it took to ensure all ten children were taken care of. She always showed outwardly kindness through any challenge that was encountered. She also had a silent protective instinct that was rarely seen. She once took one of her children to summer school that was in a questionable and potentially unsafe neighborhood. Later that day, when they spoke, the child shared their concern for her during their morning commute on public transportation. Mom explained and showed that she was well protected and would do whatever it took to ensure her and the child’s safety. Most people never saw that protective side of her because she used her strength to ensure comfort. Mom applied to a program to attain her GED because she understood the importance of not settling. After acquiring her GED, she applied and attended York College. While working full time as a matron on a school bus, she took night classes over a few years then chose to end her academics, due to other obligations. After Toto retired in New York, Mom stopped working and they decided to move to Ocala, Florida. She loved Florida and the fact that New York’s snow was left in the rearview mirror. Mom lived an enjoyable life in Florida doing what some retired people do. Mom traveled to Haiti to visit her cousin, nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. Whenever she would visit, she would bring clothes that she sewed together along with other clothes that was purchased or donated. She would also provide food items that were purchased in bulk and shipped directly to her family whenever she visited them. She would portion out the items to ensure all of her family received a healthy share of food to last quite a while. During her beautiful time on earth, she endured many challenges. Mom visited New York to see her family and while there, had a terrible headache. Unfortunately, this is where her strength worked against her. Her and Toto embarked on their twenty-plus hour drive back home to Florida. Back in Florida, she went to the hospital to find out that she had an aneurysm which required brain surgery. She then had two subsequent surgeries to address additional bleeding areas. She recovered and continued living the life that she loved. Then unfortunately, she has since had a stroke, multiple seizures, broken wrist from a fall and broken leg from a car accident. Through it all, you would never know what she’s been through because she never wavered. Even towards the end of her living days with her inability to maintain long conversations, she would express herself through her infectious smile. Mom was referred to by some as “special”. She was a very special woman because no matter the challenge, she continuously persevered. She had a way about her that would be very difficult for any living human to comprehend. She always maintained her poise, kindness and caring for everyone she touched because of the strength she possessed through her faith in God. God was Mom’s guiding light and used her in ways unimaginable to some. Mom will be forever loved and missed by her family and anyone who truly knew her. Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas (Toto) Duchatellier, her mother, her brother, her sister and by her son, Clarens Duchatellier. Mom is survived by her daughters Marie Sonie Duchatellier, Nancy Duchatellier Napoleon (spouse: Serge), Marie Guercy Duchatellier, Madeleine Duchatellier Smith (spouse: Carlton), her sons David Duchatellier (spouse: Marie Josie), Martial Duchatellier (spouse: Cheryl), Jacques Duchatellier, Jean Duchatellier (spouse: Ravene), Fritz Duchatellier (spouse: Marla), and Tristan Duchatellier (spouse: Jessica). Mom is also survived by her grandchildren Steeve, Eric, Melissa, Julissa, Christine, Chelsie, Bianca, Breanna, Anthony, Jimmy, Jay, Shamel, Kaevon, Tristan, Jr. (TJ), Jean, Jr. (JJ), great-grandson Noah, great-granddaughter Mariah and several nieces and nephews. May Our Lord Accept Our Loving Mom in His Forever Kingdom.

Elisabeth Salomon Duchatellier

February 4, 1945 - December 16, 2025