Gabrielle Victorine Defoe George, age 83, affectionately known as “Gabou”, passed away in Orlando, Florida on December 30, 2022, following a brief illness.
Gabrielle was born in Anse Madame, Shoelcher, Martinique, on March 24, 1939 to Tina Defoe and Leon Placid. She grew up on the island of Dominica where she gained her primary education and helped her mother in managing a small country shop. She eventually migrated to and has been a resident of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands for over 50 years.
In St. Thomas, Gabrielle was gainfully employed in various capacities including work as a sales assistant at Inter-Island Department Store. Until her retirement at age 70, she was a manager at Caribbean Yacht Charters (CYC).
She enjoyed singing and had once entertained the thought of moving to Paris to develop her skills as a singer. However, her passion as a family person kept her close to home, eventually starting her own family. But her beautiful voice was never silenced as she loved to sing in school, church and wherever she could lend her voice. She enjoyed traveling, especially to visit friends and family throughout the Caribbean as well as in Florida. Gabrielle was an avid storyteller and enjoyed watching and keeping abreast of news, especially nightly news and from her native Dominica.
Gabrielle was a loving mother to her eight children, a very generous and loyal friend, opening her home and kitchen to any who came by. She will be greatly missed and her memories will be cherished forever.
Gabrielle leaves to mourn the following relatives and friends:
Gabrielle is survived by the following relatives:
DAUGHTERS: Fredine Sorrel, Ivinia George-Henderson, Delitta George
SONS: Rolland George, Philbert George, Auguiste George, Heath Corriette
DAUGHTERS IN-LAW: Alicia George, Harriet Tull-George, Patricia Jackson-George
SONS IN LAW: Henri Sorrel, Cromwell A Henderson III, Donahue Stephenson
GRAND DAUGHTERS: Diana Milon; Veronique George, Ayanna George Fox (Benjamin); Chantell Victorine Henderson, Chenell Gabrielle Henderson; Kerrine George, Karlyn Merchant (Causton); Aaliyah George; Amara Stephenson
GRAND SONS: Kevin George, Kirwin George; Dominick George (Jasmine), Dietrich George; Cromwell Henderson II; Rodrick George
GREAT-GRAND CHILDREN: Sephora Mann, Naomi Mann; Terrance F. George, Sadie George; Kayden Merchant; Kaaliyah George; Jada Cecelia Drummer; Jayce George, Carter George; Benjamin Fox, Jr; Kante Jackson, Kahm Frederick
BROTHER: Leon Placid II
SISTERS-IN-LAW: Ursuline George, Ivinia George, Judith Placid
NIECES: Janet Placid, Anne Placid Martin; Naomi Leatham; Ilva Defoe, Merella Dorival
NEPHEWS: Ian G. Placid; Dwight Leatham, Dorian Leatham; Ederson Defoe, Kendall Defoe.
CLOSE FAMILY & FRIENDS:
Gabriel Sanderson, Oliver “Sonn” Casimir, Margaret “Rosie” & Simon Peter, Ruffin Francis, Margaret Francis, Ivinia Defoe, Mina George, Victoria Anselm, Rosetta and Charlene Charles, Medora Edwards, Helena Seraphin, Bert Toussaint, Monica Etienne, Deedee Tallman, Kelvin Athanaze, Dorina Dorival, Audette Anselm, Patrick & Elta George, Genora George, Theresa Leatham, Evantie Harriette, Moses Jones, Pastor John & Ann-Marie Baker, Joan Isidore, Ferilis MacPherson, Rosie Pemberton, Sybil Alexander, Marcella John-Lewis and many more family and friends.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Hurley Funeral Homes and services are as follows:
Funeral viewing and service on Saturday, February 4th, 2023 at 9am (viewing) and 10am (service) at Bovoni Baptist Church in Bovoni, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and internment at 12noon at the Eastern Cemetery in Smith Bay.
1 Comment
A Prayer for My Beautiful Auntie
Through your prayers and your caring mind-set. Your willingness to always see a bad situation, and tackle them head on, paints the picture of a selfless, heartfelt image of a beautiful woman that continues to seek out love and trust in others, and then with reflection, bestows a hand that pulls one from the pit of hungry serpents with her mighty prayers.
Your stern opposition, plus your passion to squash injustice to others leaves you with no thought of self, but a tunnel vision, and an eye of morality to get the job done.
Your impact on all our lives and others has been profound, your human body became a rock, your heart and your internal soul has been the pillow for us to fall on.
As a Knight in bright shining armour, you fought the demons, that continuously hounded you and your family, never worried about the scars that were left, that wounded you, but you brushed them off, knowing that God will never leave you, he watches all his Angels, and heavenly Knights, and licks their wounds to enable them to fight another battle.
You have now transformed into that knight, angle and protector, sent by God almighty to watch over us all.