Laurencia Payen

Laurencia Payen was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on October 8, 1945, to Hilarie Payen and Genia Simbert.  She moved to the United States in December of 1995.  She adapted quickly to her new life in the United States but kept the values and rich traditions of her homeland.  In 1999, she settled in Winter Haven and made it her home.  Laurencia was an active member of the First Haitian Church of the Nazarene and loved by her community.  Reserved, yet social, she was full of joy and life.  She enjoyed going to the beach or on excursions in the countryside, traveling, going on cruises, and spending time with her family and friends. Laurencia was a resilient woman, a hard worker and a loving mother.  She had an unshakable faith that inspired everyone around her.  Laurencia spent her life helping and supporting others and holding them up in prayer.  She was a beautiful soul.

Laurencia is survived by her children, Gretha (Dr. Joseph F.) Francois, nee Denis, and Franky Adelson (Chela Exhilhomme), her sister, Marie Rose (Yves) Joassaint, her grandchildren, Ricardy, Shedley, Laurence, and Benjamin Adelson and Karah Francois, her Stepchildren, Nancy and Patrick Denis, and nieces Farah and Katia Osselin.  Our deepest sympathies to the families Payen, Francois, Adelson, Denis, Joassaint, and Osselin. May her soul rest in eternal peace.