MARIE LEONIE WILSON's Obituary
Marie Leonie Wilson was born on Tuesday, April 11, 1933 to the late Paul and the late Alexandrine Golding at the family’s home in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. She was the first of six siblings born to her parents, and took her role as the eldest very seriously. Marie was a very loving and caring child, and was known to be a fierce protector of her siblings. After the untimely passing of her mother in January 1951, she and her siblings were sent to live with her maternal aunt, the late Millicent Brathwaite, in Laventille.
Marie attended Eastern Girls School as a child. After finishing school, she pursued employment in the private sector, holding various assignments. It was during this period in her life that she followed in her mother and aunt’s footsteps and nurtured a penchant for cooking. Anyone who knew Marie knows how she could put love into a pot. No recipes were ever needed; she just knew how to achieve her delicious fares by heart. It was just the way that she balled her left fist and placed it on her hip, while stirring the pot with the other hand, adding every ingredient at just the right time to achieve absolute perfection repeatedly. Some of her fan favorites were okra and rice, stew pork and callaloo.
Marie was very outgoing and loved to dress-up and attend dances and functions with her sisters. It was during this time that she met, and eventually married the late Kenwyn “Kenny” Wilson. Their union produced two daughters, Maureena Janet and Aleina Judy.
In June 1967, Marie migrated to Maryland in the United States of America in search of better employment opportunities. This undoubtedly demonstrated her tenacity of spirit, because making this move meant that she had to leave her children, family, and everything familiar behind, to move to a country where she knew no one and nothing about the American culture beyond what previous immigrants relayed on return trips. Her first assignment was with Mr. and Mrs. Marlo, with whom she had strong friendship until their passing. Marie subsequently assisted her sisters, their families, and numerous friends in the navigation of the immigration process. Once settled in the United States, it was not long before her home became the meeting place for fun fellowships within her social community, because she just loved to see people happy and she loved to cook. Marie worked as a domestic and later as a private duty-nursing assistant before eventually retiring.
Marie relocated to Miami, Florida in 1982 to be closer to her daughters, Judy and Janet, and because of the warmer climate there. There is nothing she cherished more than family, and this was paramount to what she exemplified. She adored her children and their offspring, showering them with gifts any chance she got. Moreover, Marie loved mankind, and would literally open her doors to anyone, and loved, cared for, and encouraged them just as if they were her own biological family. She had no tolerance for foolishness, however, and woe unto those that would venture into that realm. Though short in stature, she would take on any Goliath, whether or not any wrongdoings were directed at her, and regardless of the consequences.
When Marie’s health started to decline, she moved in with Judy and her husband, William, and maintained her residence there until Thursday, April 7, when she received her heavenly wings and entered into eternal rest.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Alexandrine and Paul; siblings, Rudy, Jeffery, and baby boy Golding, and aunt, Millicent Brathwaite. She leaves to mourn her passing her daughters, Janet and Judy; sons-in-law, Renrick and William; grandchildren, Natalie, Stacy, and Renrick Jr.; great grandchildren, Jhonnell, Derrick, Samantha, Marcus, Tydazhja, and Tyrecke; great, great grandchildren, Jaylah and Shyanna Marie; sisters, Glenor, and Eastlyn; other siblings, Hugh, Carl, Marcel, Donna, Siesta, Egbert, Neulyn, nieces, Debra, Selma, Portia, Yvette, Denise (Charlie), Lisa and Paula; nephews, Anthony, Andre, Dexter and Curtis; and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
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