Therese Merilus, lovingly known as Yolande, 79, of Port Charlotte, Florida has serenely sailed home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 2, 2026. She was born on April 18, 1946 in Haiti, Duplessy, Leogane to parents Mr. Leonce Etienne and Mrs. Clairmitte Cajuste. She was the fourth born of four kids. First born is civil engineer Mr. Louis Etienne second born was Mrs. Carmelite Etienne and the third was Leon Etienne.

Therese got married to Josue Merilus on May 18, 1971 in Port Au Prince Haiti. She consummated the marriage and her first child Godvell Merilus was born on February 27, 1972. Therese and her husband then left Haiti to embark on their journey to make a life in the United States. Therese and Josue lived in Brooklyn, New York for several months, before welcoming their second child Holly Cesar Merilus on December 13, 1973 and the third child Nanie Hollande Merilus on December 19,1975. Therese worked as a seamstress for many years before deciding to put her kind-hearted and compassionate personality to great use and became a Certified Health Aide. She was quickly appointed the role of the sole caregiver and housekeeper for a prominent family. Therese was a devoted Christian who attended church consistently in New York until she later retired and moved to Port Charlotte, Florida where she continued to practice her faith and attended the house of the lord regularly.

Therese was invaluable, nonpareil, and cut from a different cloth and true limited edition. She was best known for her social architect and hospitable nature, unifying family from every part of the globe. She held her bond to the Lord close to her heart and was the bedrock of the family. Her tireless support and unwavering care were both limitless and deeply appreciated by everyone that crossed her path. As a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, her absence will truly be felt. Therese was a generous and loving motherly figure who will be remembered for her unconditional love for each and every one of her family members and friends.

She was predeceased by her brother civil engineer Jean – Andre Louis Etienne. She’s survived by her husband Josue Merilus and her three children Godvell Merilus, Holly Merilus, and Nanie Merilus. She also leaves behind her 9 adorable grandchildren, Alisha Camp, Kalliyah Merilus, Brianna Merilus, Donell Wadsworth, Damien Merilus, Phoenix Merilus, Amanda Merilus, Andrew Merilus, and Zane Merilus. She was blessed to have met her three amazing great-grandchildren, Makaio Kelly, Tyler Camp, and Aaliyah Camp. She also leaves behind her sister Carmelite Etienne and her many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held 9:00AM-10:00AM followed by a funeral service at 10:00AM, Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Redeemer Haitian Baptist Church on 22455 Minerva St. Port Charlotte, FL 33954. Interment will be held at a later date in Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale, NY.

The Merilus family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all family, friends, and loved ones for the prayers, visits, phone calls, messages, and acts of kindness shown during this time of bereavement. Your love and support have provided strength and comfort that will never be forgotten.

Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home Port Charlotte Chapel.