Michelle R. Jean-Pierre

In Loving Memory of Michelle Rose Jean-Pierre:

March 14, 1960- May 7, 2023

It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Michelle Rose Jean-Pierre, née Fontaine, a beloved mother, cherished grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who departed from this world on Sunday, May 7, 2023. She leaves behind an enduring legacy of love, strength, and unwavering devotion to her family.

Born on March 14, 1960, in Pétion-Ville, Haiti, to parents, Nela Cadely and Biby Fontaine, both of whom preceded her in death. Michelle grew up as the eldest of three in a vibrant Haitian community, where she learned the values of resilience, compassion, and the importance of family. These qualities would shape her character and guide her throughout her life, leaving an indelible mark on all those she encountered. While growing up in Haiti, she attended Catholic school for her primary and secondary education and excelled in her studies, where she became fluent in French, English, and Spanish- in addition to her first language of Haitian Creole.

Eventually settling in Maryland after immigrating to the United States in the early ’80s, she began her 29-year career working at the John E. Fogarty International Center at the National Institutes of Health (FIC/NIH) in Bethesda, MD. While there, she consistently demonstrated a deep level of determination and an unrelenting desire to succeed which earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues. Michelle was known for her generous spirit and warm personality and had a natural ability to make others feel welcomed and valued.

Beyond her professional accomplishment, Michelle's greatest joy in life was her role as a mother and grandmother. She dedicated her life to the well-being and development of her three children. She was their rock, their guiding light through life's trials and triumphs. Her unconditional love and unwavering support provided a sturdy foundation upon which her children could grow and thrive. She instilled in them the values of hard work, perseverance, and the importance of family, leaving an indelible imprint on their lives.

Michelle is survived by her three children, Elizabeth [Purnel] Alexis-Anderson, Dominique Fontaine, and Mackenzie Jean-Pierre, and her granddaughter, Anaya-Michelle, who will all carry her legacy forward with love and gratitude. She is also survived by her brothers, nieces, nephews, and a host of extended family and friends who will also fondly remember her.

We gather in both grief and celebration of a life well-lived, cherishing the countless precious moments and memories that Michelle bestowed upon us. In this time of sorrow, let us find solace in the knowledge that her legacy will endure through her children and the lives she has touched. May her soul find eternal peace, and may her memory continue to be a blessing to us all.