Lilas Sicard's Obituary
Lilas Barbier Sicard was born in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti on September 11th, 1938. She was the wife of the late Wesner Sicard and mother to the late Phillip “Phil” Homer Sicard, Monique Tamara Sicard Stephens and Carl (Aviva) Sicard. She was grandmother to the late Tyrell “Ty” Pravato, Tashera “Shera” Pravato Hutcheson, Mitchell “Mitch” Clark Stephens, Jordan Stephens, Calvin Stephens, Taylor Sicard, Kengilo “Kengi” Phifer and Simon Alexander Sicard. She was great grandmother to Gia, Jade and Mya. She was daughter to the late LeClaire Barbier and late Hermance “Mamas” Bastien. Along with this she was sister to Yvette “Tante Cocot” Pierre and Micheline “Tante Chin” Smith.She was also granddaughter to Samuel “Papa Sam” Bastien and Ajerlia “Gran Yaya” Durandis (surname). As well, she was “Tante Lilas” to the late Yvens Pierre, Mario Pierre, Garbens Pierre, Marie-Andre Santilus, Maureen Don, Roger Pierre and Sean Smith. She had a number of cousins, grand nephews and nieces. At the age of 6, Lilas moved from Port-Au-Prince to Leogane, Haiti to live with Gran Yaya where she started the first grade. She recalled walking an hour to get to school at “Anacohona” with her cousin Andre. Around that time Papa Sam passed away. Samuel Bastien originated from Guinea, Africa and was brought to Haiti via the French slave trade. Being skilled in embroidery she worked as a seamstress during the day and attended night school in order to learn English. She did embroidery for approximately 10 years. She stayed with her second Aunt Assefie “Tante FiFi” Mirande (LeClaire Barbier’s cousin) and second cousin Janet Hyatt from 1960-1964 in Westchester, New York. During that time, Lilas had her first encounters with racism and became more socially aware as a result of her attendance at the March on Washington D.C. in August of 1963. “Aunt Janet” was instrumental in her recognition of societal issues. 7th grade she attended a private school for 2 years and received her diploma from Catholic School “La Sagest”. Lilas’s lifelong friend from Haiti and then in the U.S. was “Aunt” Ritza Valbrun. At the age of 22 in 1960 Lilas came to the U.S. Lilas moved back to Port-AuPrince at the age of 8 at which time she was cared for by her sister Cocot. She resided with “Tante Rosee” who was Gran Yaya’s sister. She went on to school at “Managa” and received “Certifica”. Subsequent to that in the While working as a seamstress she met her future husband Wes through her sister in-law Ava “Nanan” Laporte. They married in November of 1964 and went on to start a life together in a studio apartment in White Plains, New York. Afterwards, they moved to a one bedroom apartment in the Bronx next to her brother and sister-in-law Elie and Ava Laporte, along with their children the late Frank “Fonfon” Laporte, Ernest “Toto” Laporte and Marie Claude Phanor. In the early 1970’s Lilas had her introduction into health care as a nurse’s aide in New Rochelle Hospital, New York. She would go on to continue her work as a nursing assistant at St. Vincent Hospital in New York City. It should be noted during that time she also attended Wilford Academy of Beauty simultaneously to supplement her income as a Beautician. Never being satisfied and always persevering she went on to acquire her General Equivalency Degree at BOCES in Long Island and then east Florida. At that time she engaged her entrepreneurial spirit as a laundromat owner. At another point she would sell jewelry part time as well to supplement her income. She never wavered in her support of financial independence, and educational advancement, in particular for women, as an immigrant black woman from Haiti and a descendant of slavery. She felt her mother instilled in her the basis for success from her own experiences as a business woman in Haiti selling fabrics. One of her favorite sayings was the adage “L’Union fait la force”. Among things that Lilas enjoyed were; long drives with her husband, cruise boat rides, an occasional slot machine encounter (smile) and a good glass of wine. attained licensure as Licensed Practical Nurse in 1988. As a nurse, she proudly worked primarily at Nassau County Medical Center going on to become a leading member of the I.V. team. After having owned homes in Queens, New York, and a home in Long Island, New York, she would then go on to move to Punta Gorda, Florida and again to south Lilas and Wesner both had a firm belief and respect for God. As a result they joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization in approximately the late 70’s - early 80’s. They would go on to be active participants and supporters of Jehovah Witnesses. They would engage in “field service” and bible study. Their religious spiritual convictions played a large part in both of their wishes concerning end of life events which were respected. The family would like to thank all of those offering prayers, condolence and well wishes.
What’s your fondest memory of Lilas?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lilas?
Share a story where Lilas' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lilas you’ll never forget.
How did Lilas make you smile?