Marie Claude Dorval

Marie Claude St. Germain was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on April 2, 1961, to her mother, Adrienne Auguste, and father, Jean Claude St. Germain. Marie Claude was the only child of her mother.

She attended preschool and elementary school at Che' Anglad and secondary school at George Mark in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Her education at George Mark was cut short when she immigrated to the United States in 1976.

Upon arriving in the U.S., she reunited with her father and grandmother in Miami, Florida. In 1976, Marie Claude met the love of her life, Abner Dorval, who would later become her lifelong partner and husband.

Marie Claude graduated from Eddison High School in Miami-Dade County. She continued her education at Sharon Williams College, earning a certification as an Executive Secretary. Driven by her passion for helping others, she worked in immigration as an interpreter, providing translation services for Haitians with dedication and care.

On September 12, 1981, Marie Claude St. Germain married Abner Dorval, becoming Mrs. Marie Claude Dorval. The newlyweds wanted to explore life and opportunities outside of Miami, so they lived in Orlando, Florida, for a short time before moving to New Jersey, where they settled for twelve years.

They deeply rooted themselves in the community and at Maranatha Seventh-day Adventist Church, where Marie was involved with Pathfinders, served as the youth choir director, and directed theatrical plays.

Their home in Newark, New Jersey, was a warm and welcoming place, especially for young people. Every Sabbath, laughter and lively conversation filled the air as they gathered around the table for delicious meals and joyful fellowship. With her kind heart and generous spirit, Marie nurtured these young souls, sharing her love of Christ through biblical teachings, uplifting songs, and poems.

In the spring of 1988, Marie Claude and Abner Dorval welcomed RoseMerlyn Louis into their lives and hearts from her first week of life, becoming her loving parents. Marie Claude embraced motherhood with complete devotion, cherishing Rose as a precious blessing and a gift from God.

While in New Jersey, Marie Claude Dorval developed an interest in the medical field. She attended Union College and obtained her Licensed Practical Nursing degree. Her passion for medicine deepened while she worked at the VA Medical Center in East Orange, New Jersey.

She decided to pursue even higher education at Montclair University with the goal of obtaining her Bachelor's degree in nursing. The Lord had a different calling for her life. In 1995, the VA Medical relocated Marie and her family to the West Palm Beach, VA Medical Center.

She decided to pursue even higher education at Montclair University to obtain her Bachelor's degree in nursing. However, the Lord had a different calling for her life. In 1995, the VA Medical relocated Marie and her family to the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center.

Marie Claude Dorval continued her 23-year journey with the VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach, FL, while also pursuing her education at Broward Community College. There, she earned her Associate's degree in Nursing and continued her studies at the University of Phoenix in Palm Beach Gardens, where she obtained her Bachelor's degree in Nursing. However, her ambition did not end there. She pursued a Master's degree in Nursing at Western Governors University. Unfortunately, due to illness, she was unable to complete the program.

On April 25, 2019, Marie was stricken with a severe illness. Doctors feared the worst, giving her just 24 hours to live. But, by the grace of God, Marie defied the odds and fought back. Through resilience, determination, and the support of her loved ones, she went on to live for an incredible six years and seven months beyond that fateful day. Her story is a testament to the miraculous power of God.