Gurlande St. Vil

Gurlande “ Big G or Gigi” St.Vil was born on April 16, 1976 in Port-de-Paix, Haiti, to the Late Dumesle St.Vil and the Late Melisena Vildor. Gurlande was 3 months old when our parents migrated to the United States. Gurlande graduated in 1995 with a High School Diploma from Dillard High School and continued her education at Broward College to pursue a degree in Computer Science. Gurlande’s energy was very contagious and people were drawn to her outgoing personality. She never missed an opportunity to crack a joke and make people laugh. Gift giving was her love language.

She loved a variety of music but Haitian music (Kompa) was her favorite and she was an excellent dancer. In her early teenage years, she sung alongside family and friends in a church group called Genesis. In her adult years, she would only sing around her relatives. She had the voice of an angel. When it came to worshipping, she enjoyed songs she learned in Haitian Creole and French from our parents and from Sinai. In the past several years, she spent a lot of time meditating in worship songs from various artists. Gurlande worked as a Communications Technician at T-Mobile until she was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2004. She endured a host of chronic medical conditions that took a toll on her body but was blessed with an internal personal strength to battle these illnesses for so long. Gurlande’s love for her nieces and nephews helped her get through many bad days.

In her 47 years on earth, she lived and she enjoyed life even in her illness. Towards the end of her life, Gurlande spoke of the peace that she experienced in the Lord and how she was ready. However, deep within her soul was a yearning for two request: one was to make sure all the records on earth were set right with her fellow man and second to have a final dinner with her closest family and friends. The Lord in His infinite wisdom did not allow the opportunity for the dinner to occur, however, it is undeniable that she experienced peace before she closed her eyes on May 31, 2023.

She leaves to mourn her siblings: Kerry St Vil, Guerline S Jean-Pierre, Islaine St.Vil, and Aliand St.Vil. Sister-in-law Carrie Balmer. Nieces and Nephews: Elijah St.Vil, Anaiah German, Lyrique Dorcelus, Anthony German, Gabrielle Jean-Pierre and Amir Sica. Paternal Aunts & Uncles: Ladiny S Belizaire, Lucienne & Paul, Bertha St.Vil, Anovil St.Vil, Ivon St.Vil, and Ochaine St.Vil. Our extended family: St Vil, Vildor, Ilsaint, Dalmace, Meteyer, St.Val, Belizaire, Ductan, Simeon, Fleurinord. Close friends of family: Mereus, Henry, Jasmin, Buisson, Francois and German.

Special thanks to: Sinai, Schekina, Bon Samaritan, Ambassador, Mount Calvary of Tampa Florida, Advent Health of Orlando and Advent Health Hospice Care.