Obituary of Hortense Pierre

Life Story

Hortense Pierre of Willingboro, New Jersey, went to join our Heavenly Father on June 2, 2017.  She was 90 years old.

Born in St Elizabeth, Jamaica, Hortense was the eldest of fifteen children.  In 1956 she moved to England where her sister the late Gwendolyn Shelford introduced her to a kind handsome man called Matthew Pierre, who later became her husband. They were married for 59 years.

During her time in England, Hortense lived in London with her family.  She spent her time tending to her children and enjoyed sewing and cooking.  To many, she is described as kind, patient, gentle-hearted and full of wisdom. 

In London she worked at a factory which made household appliances.  While things were a struggle in London, she always found a way to send provisions to her family back in Jamaica. Her love of family was truly great.

She was proud of her Jamaican roots and tradition and always took the time to share   stories and pass along advice to help others.  She was full of wisdom and insights which she shared lovingly.

Hortense was a very spiritual, loving and compassionate person. Her love for God and family were evident by how she lived her life. She was always a sharing and caring    person and if she knew you liked something she would do her best to provide it for you.

Her greatest love was that of her husband whom she affectionately called ‘P’. Thoughts of him were always on her mind.  Each day she concerned herself with what was P going to eat, did he get to his destination safely, how he was feeling etc.  They have been blessed to have each other for all these years.

In 1977 she moved to the United States and became the rock to help other family      members make the transition. There is not a relative or a friend sitting here today that was not touched in a special caring way, uniquely reserved for them alone by Hortense.

In 1993 Hortense and her sister Gwendolyn Shelford joined Rehoboth Pentecostal Church.  They faithfully attended the church and had a great love for their Pastors, Rupert Johnson Sr. and Rupert Johnson Jr as well as their church family members.

She is preceded by her beloved son Christopher Pierre, four brothers, Granville, Carrol and Ronald Sanderson, Keith Grant and two sisters, Mendis Grant and Gwendolyn Shelford.

She is survived by her husband Matthew Pierre, two sons and daughter-in-law’s, Lloyd & Winsome Darien and Glenmoore & Malarie Pierre; four daughters and two son-in-law’s, Rudolph & Pearl Peck, Pauline Darien, Vic & Madge Grant and Doreen Pierre; six  brothers Mervin and Donald Sanderson, Renford, Karl, Neville, and Boisie Grant, and two sisters, Merthlyn Watson and Elga Seaton; eleven grand-children, twenty great grand-children along with a host of other loving relatives.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me”

John 14:1