Clairna Joseph Fabe was born on November 15, 1944, in Lascahobas, Haiti. The daughter of beloved Paulisma Sonelus and Annulus Joseph. Clairna was affectionately known as “Mama” by her close friends and family. After graduating high school in Haiti, she went on to become a seamstress, which was a passion of hers. She became spiritually involved as a member of “La Jeunesse'' in her town of Lascahobas. She worked with deaf adolescents, as a teacher’s assistant at a catholic school in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. She loved working with children. She was revered by her Students, Priests, and Nuns. In 1979, while working at the catholic school, it is where she met her soon-to-be husband Faude Fabe. They later married in 1981 and had three children.

When “Mama” immigrated to America, she lived in New York, Florida, and Massachusetts. In September of 1982, she moved to Brooklyn NY to join her niece “Anise” and great-niece Jemina whom she nicknamed “dah” and helped to raise. The toughest decision “Mama’ made was leaving her young children Frantz (1 year old) & Merlayna (infant) as she led the way for a new start in the USA. While it was difficult her & Faude decided it was the best decision for their family.  Her sister Mezina and her brother-in-law Arthur Simon and with the help of her nephew Edner Simon they helped Faude care for her beloved children.  

As she navigated the states, she found comfort while working as a Home Health Aide and helping to raise her great-nieces. Mama lived a fashionable lifestyle along with her niece “Anise”. Every weekend they shopped at thrift shops, hosted gatherings, and took pictures in their Brooklyn apartment. Mama’s style was the epitome of the Hollywood stars except she achieved them on a budget, back then she would have been appropriately named a “Fashionista” a term commonly used today. She had no rules about mixing prints, wearing bold monochromatic looks, and kept an open mind about exploring different styles. She loved pictures and ensured she captured all the memories. Just for the fun of it, she and “Anise” would dress up simply to take pictures later to share with her husband, Faude, and children in Haiti.

In 1987 she moved to Florida to join her husband after he immigrated and they resided in Florida for 2 years, and shortly they moved to Massachusetts. With support from family members, her children later immigrated to America in 1990 and together they built their life, raised their children, and created precious memories in Boston, MA until her untimely passing.  

 “Mama” enjoyed a 20-year career working as a housekeeper at the Copley Marriott after retiring she pursued her passion in the retail industry and worked at the Goodwill Industries for 8 years. As she worked, she shopped secretly and pulled clothes to the side to later send to her family and friends in Haiti. After retiring from the Goodwill, she enjoyed traveling to Haiti once a year in the month of March to take part in the religious celebration of St. Gabriel and often would travel with sister Mezina, whom she loved deeply. Because she knew that her sister traveled around the same time, she made a commitment to travel with her back home to Haiti as she did not want her to travel alone. This was “Mama’s” love language, acts of service and she led an exemplary life practicing generosity, helping others, and loving friends and family unconditionally.

“Mama” was an active parishioner at Saint Leo Catholic Church and went on to serve at Saint Angela Merci Church in Mattapan, MA. She loved attending church with her family, serving as a volunteer, and donating to church causes and missions. In addition, she always looked forward to going on church retreats with her fellow church members. 

Her favorite place in the house was the kitchen. She loved cooking for her family, as well as cooking for church events, family gatherings, and other social events. At the core “Mama” loved to entertain and make her way into one’s heart with home-cooked meals; no one left her home without a meal.

She enjoyed listening to and dancing to Kompa music, as well as attending Haitian concerts with her husband. Her past time was spent watching church mass on television and tuning into the latest news in Haiti. “Mama” spent her last living days, enjoying Sunday dinners with her husband, children, grandchildren, and extended family.

In closing “Mama” was a force to reckon with, she was confident, ambitious, and outgoing. She was vocal about her likes and dislikes, she stood firm on her decisions and did not waiver on her opinions. While a disciplinarian she was simultaneously loving and caring and would stop at nothing to help one in need. She left a remarkable legacy, she will forever be unforgettable, and we are comforted that she is at peace and has reunited with her eldest sister, Mezina Simon, the “two peas in a pod”.  A life well lived and today with tears in our eyes, memories on our brains, and love in our hearts we celebrate our Wife, Mother, Friend, Aunt & Church sister, Clairna Joseph Fabe.

Clairna is predeceased by her mother and father Paulisma Sonelus and Annulus Joseph, her siblings Mezina Simon, Fanelus Joseph, Anelo Joseph, Saint Mark Joseph, Saint Voisea Joseph, Ellen Joseph.

Clairna is survived by her husband of 40 years, Faude Fabe. Her children Odner Fabe, Frantz Fabe, Merlayna “Mimine” Fabe & Jemila B. Fabe. Her grandchildren Jaydan “Jay” Fabe, Jasiah “Jazzy” Fabe, Nyela “Ny” Fabe, Samuel “Sammy” Fabe, Gabriel “Gabby” Fabe. Clairna had nicknames for all her grandkids. Her brother Moses Joseph. Her daughter-in-law Natalie Naper-Fabe, Isa Graca-Fabe.

Her Nieces/Nephews: Edner (NéNé) Simon, Jonel Simon, Yvrance (Anise) Simon, Ertha (Fita) Simon, Rose-Andre (Paula) Simon, Rose-Marie (Pauline) Simon, Marie-Michelle (Zette) Simon. Clairna gave the nicknames to all her nieces and nephews.

Her Great Nieces/Nephews: Anel Simon, Jemina “Da” Simon, Beatrice “Valerie” Thevenot, Cassandra Wilson, Gary Samuel Saint Pierre, Elizabeth Pierre, Jeffway Pierre, Stephanie Jean Baptiste, Wensley Pierre, Ruth Simon, Nike “Nick” Simon, Shammael Simon, Caleb Simon, Jameson Simon, Reginald Simon, Fadaelle Simon, Danielle Simon, Donald Simon, Mardoche Simon, Emmanuella Simon, Fredno Simon, Reuben Ulysse, Benjamin Ulysse, Pierta Ulysse, Ertholin Ulysse, Junior Ulysse, Praisegod Ulysse, Ketsia Ulysse, Peterson Ulysse, Sarahlee Lubin, Cedrick Ulysse, Jonathan Lubin, Gaelle Lubin, Elange Jean-Marie, Maxfine and Dudu.

Her Great-great Nieces/Nephews: Carlentz Simon, Denzyl Wilson, Renesanse L. Viel, Giselle Presume, Arthur Nelson, Jayson Pierre, Wethsaida Pierre, Woodsen Ulysse, Shania Jean- Baptiste.


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