Paulette Marie Delisca, 89, affectionately known as “PoPo,” passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.  Born on January 17, 1934, in Jérémie, Haiti, to the late Amilcar Fontaine and the late Philomene Rosenberg, PoPo’s life was a living testament of her love and compassion for her family, as well as for others.

This love of others led PoPo to study nursing in Haiti, where she eventually became a midwife.  PoPo enjoyed serving expectant mothers. Recognizing this call on her life, to love and care for people, PoPo assisted and supported these women throughout their pregnancy and during childbirth.  Each delivery brought her pure joy.  Her union with Pierre Joseph Delisca produced nine children, including a set of triplets.  The devastation and pain of losing two of her triplet sons, Pierrot and Partrick, explains why she stood flatfooted with the Fortune family as they gave birth to their triplets: Emmanuelle, Jeanine and Ange Marie.  Even the death of her ninth child, Rodini, didn’t stop her for caring for expectant mothers.

In search of economic opportunities to care for her family, in 1974 Popo immigrated to the United States.  She worked as a certified nursing assistant providing patients with care and comfort. Two years later, Pierre joined his wife in Brooklyn, New York and the couple moved into an apartment on Albermarle Road.  There, until Pierre’s death in 1994, they fed, housed and entertained countless family, friends and strangers alike.

In 1992, PoPo accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and personal savior.  She was baptized at Horeb French Seventh-Day Adventist Church and became a member. Recognizing it was God who called her to care for all people, PoPo continued this ministry by serving as a deaconess at her Church.  Paulette found her strength in God and because of that firm foundation, Paulette loved life.  She was resilient, grounded and content.  This Source enabled her to endure the pain of losing her firstborn grandson, Cliff Howard, in a horrific accident in 2013.  A year later, her son, Parnel, the sole surviving triplet, died in another tragic accident. PoPo’s strength in God and her personal relationship with Jesus Christ sustained her.

PoPo retired and moved in 1999 to Port Charlotte, Florida. She joined Bethanie Haitian Seventh-Day Adventist Church, where she continued serving God until her death. She welcomed anyone and everyone to her home.  PoPo loved to garden and could be found sitting outside on the lanai leading praise and worship, reading her Bible and conversing with God.

PoPo also loved to laugh and dance.  Whenever her grandkids came to visit, they would say “hi, Granny, pop it, lock it and drop it.” Upon hearing those words, PoPo would start dancing.  This hidden talent is what landed her, along with Pierre and Parnell, a featured role in Raoul Peck’s 1987 film, “Haitian Corner.”

PoPo was a loving wife, a devoted mother to her children and a granny who fiercely protected and defended her 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.  She is survived by three children who live in Brooklyn, New York: Marie Flore, Gessie and Harold (Joan); and by sons Reggie of Myakka City, Florida, and Gregory (Marcia) of Port Charlotte, Florida.  She is also survived by three of her ten siblings:  Edner Robergeau, Jean Robergeau, and Louise Fontaine of Brooklyn, New York.

On Sunday, October 1, 2023, PoPo’s children, together with their children and grandchildren, will celebrate her for a life.  Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. followed by a service at Bethanie Haitian Seventh-day Adventist Church, 24300 Harbor View Road, Port Charlotte, FL 33980.

Livestream PoPo’s Celebration of Life at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday, October 1, 2023 through the @BethanieSDAPortCharlotte YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@BethanieSDAPortCharlotte/streams

A second service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at Horeb French Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 520 Kingston Ave #A, Brooklyn, NY 11225 followed by interment at Rosehill Cemetery, 792 E Edgar Road, Linden, New Jersey 07036.

Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home Port Charlotte Chapel and Caribe Funeral Home, Brooklyn, New York.