Anne Floraine Brutus was born in the small farming community of Limbe, in Haiti, in 1941. One of Anne’s earliest and favorite memories of growing up in Limbe was of the whole family playing together in the beautiful “cascade” (waterfall) near their home.

Anne’s father was an elementary school inspector, and her mother was a homemaker. They owned quite a bit of land, and rented it out to farmers who paid her parents one third of their profits. Anne’s mother stayed home to raise their six children, of whom Anne was the youngest. Anne’s older brother was in charge of a local school, and he looked after her quite often…only spoiling her a little bit!

When Anne was twelve, she and an older sister went to live in Cap-Haitien (the main town in the northern part of Haiti) where they attended school at Extinet St. Joseph School. Anne remembers fondly a nun at the school, Sister Virginia, who was very nice to her and helped her with her studies. Anne especially enjoyed playing volleyball. At Christmas, during other holidays and often after church on Sunday’s, her huge extended family (25-30 cousins and their parents) gathered together to enjoy traditional Haitian food, singing and playing games. In addition to these good times, Anne remembers some difficult times, particularly during the years from 1915-1930, when here was national political turmoil in Haiti.

At 19 years of age, Anne married Clovis. They owned and operated a general store, where a person could but just about buy anything, including food and clothes. The store even served as the local post office. Clovis taught Anne to drive their Chevrolet pick-up, which was needed to pick up produce and other goods from the warehouse.

Anne helped Clovis with the store, working many long hours, while raising their family. They had two children. Mary is currently a nurse at John Knox Village, and has two children. Jean, Anne’s younger son, lived with Anne and assisted her when needed. He has three children who are still quite young.

Anne has traveled back and forth to Haiti only twice since she came to the United States in 1973. Anne’s husband had passed away prior to 1973, and her children had moved to the States, so she decided to join them. At first she lived with her daughter, Mary, in New York City, which she liked very much. Roughly eight years ago, Mary moved to Florida, and Anne then moved here to be with Mary and her family. Since then, Jean also moved here, to Tamarac, where Anne lived with him until her passing.

Anne enjoyed the N.E. Focal Point’s Creole Adult Day Care program three days a week. She particularly liked the musical programs, dancing, bingo, dominos, word games and creating beautiful colored pictures.

On Thursday, September 7, 2006, Our Father Who Art in Heaven called his daughter, Anne Floriane Brutus, to be at peace with Him in His Heavenly Realm. We know that she is gone in the flesh but she will always be in our hearts. Her singing will always ring out in our hearts forever. Her kindness can never be replaced.