Etienne Dumorne

Please join us virtually for the Mass of Christian Burial as it will be available via livestream. 

Etienne Dumorné was born in the Désir Gabriel region of Petion-Ville, Haiti. He entered the world on November 20, 1939, and went home to be with the Lord on August 8, 2023. Etienne’s light radiated to everyone who knew him. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and role model, fiercely loyal to and protective of everyone he loved. 

Etienne received a degree in accounting prior to departing from Haiti. He received a permanent visa through a program in which he worked as an assistant to a professor at a university in Chicago. Abruptly after arriving in Chicago, he had to relocate to Brooklyn, NY where he lived with his aunt Yvonne Charles. Shortly thereafter, he sent for his mother and wife.

Etienne is survived by his devoted wife, Genevieve Dumorné (Née Simeon). The couple married 54 years ago in Petion-Ville, Haiti. Genevieve upheld her wedding vows every day of their blessed union. Theirs was and will forever be an unchanging love story. She meant it when she said, “I, Genevieve Simeon, take you, Etienne Dumorné, to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health. . .” They were inseparable until the end.  She is grateful for every second they were together. She cared for her husband with all of her strength, standing by him until her legs could no longer hold her upright. She ignored her illness to fulfill her promise to love and cherish Etienne Dumorné: “Till death do us part . . .”  

They settled down in NY and started their family. After a decade, they decided to move to Maryland. Upon their arrival, they were temporarily hosted by Marie Jose Gedeon and family. Etienne was the consummate frontier man. He immigrated from Haiti to the United States and. worked tirelessly to achieve the American Dream. He was brave, girded by a relentless belief in the Highest God. He was guided by faith, not sight when he brought his family to the DC metropolitan area. He thrived here and became a pillar of the Haitian community he helped build by inviting family and friends to move to the area. Genevieve and Etienne’s home was a hub, a place where family, friends, and friends of friends could always have a meal and a warm place to stay.  

After settling into the Maryland area, Etienne had several successful careers. He was diligent and did his work with the utmost integrity. He became a pioneering and renowned Realtor in the Haitian community.  Etienne single handedly built a community of Haitian homeowners in the DC Metropolitan area. Simultaneously, he was the Head Houseman in conference services at the Capital Hilton for 18 years. During his retirement he spent his time carpooling his grandkids and traveling the world on many cruises. 

Etienne Dumorné is survived by his three children, Nadine Fonrose (née Dumorné) (Michaud), Gregory Dumorné, and Daphne Dumorné. His love was unwavering; he was slow to anger and forgave generously. He was nurturing and steadfast, always leading by example. Etienne cleared the paths for his children without encroaching upon their individual creativity. He protected them with quiet ferocity and taught them to love God, as dictated in Proverbs 20:7, “The righteous who walks in his integrity--blessed are his children after him.” Papa (the moniker given to him by his grandchildren) is survived by six grandchildren: Naïma Fonrose, Michaud Fonrose Jr., Gabrielle Dumorné, Tatiana Dumorné, Etienana Dumorné, and Dayton Dumorné-O’Connor. Etienne was preceded in death by his sister Eliane Darius, his father, Aceus Darius, and his mother, Christianne Dumorné. Christianne was “Yaya” to her grandchildren-, her great-grandchildren, and others who continue to love her. Robert passed away mere weeks prior to Etienne on July 19, 2023. They are reunited, may Yaya and her two sons rejoice in this reunion!   

Etienne is also survived by many first cousins, the Dumornay family, the Charles family, the Pascal family, and the Gedeon family. As well as many other nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.

Etienne had always been an even-tempered man. He was serenity personified. And if patience had a face, Etienne’s would have been its mirror image. His unwavering faith in the Holy Trinity sustained him throughout a ruthless illness known as “The Long Goodbye” (Dementia). He entered this life on a quiet day in November and departed in the wake of a severe storm. His family held fast to the belief that God’s unlimited power would guide their beloved home. A rare pink rainbow appeared in the sky following the storm, letting us know that God was and is still in control.  

We bid farewell to Etienne, beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all. Etienne Dumorné was a devout Catholic who received all seven sacraments before he passed away, leaving a rare, marvel of a rainbow. We will remember him always. May God grant him much-deserved rest. 

Please join us virtually for the Mass of Christian Burial as it will be available via livestream.