Solédad Mériné

Our beloved Maria Julia Judiana Solédad Mériné passed away suddenly on Friday, May 20th at the age of 60.  Solé, as we affectionally called her, was born in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti to Jules and Gislaine Mériné on June 14, 1961.  Solé spent her early childhood on the island of Haiti before coming to America with her sister and father, joining her brothers and mother in Brooklyn, New York.  A graduate of Erasmus High School in 1979, Solé was an active member of the cultural dance troop, an honor student with an infectious spirit who then went on to earn a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Hunter College.  While at Hunter, Solé forged the reputation of being an astute student (a perpetual Dean’s list candidate), where she majored in sociology.

Solé started her adult life as a teller with Chemical Bank, she subsequently moved on to start her career as a social worker for the City of New York.  There, her dedication to helping others and caring for those least fortunate was nurtured and cultivated.  While working as a social worker, Solé was tasked with protecting kids living in abusive homes.  Solé tenure lasted for over 5 years before she followed her parents and brother for a better life in the sunshine state “Florida”.  Upon moving to Florida, Solé began her career in the health care industry as a Nurses Aid with Broward Health Imperial Point.  Solé was never one to take the easy road, starting her caretaking career at Imperial Point within the emergency room.  A fast pace junkie, Solé thrived while working over 10 years helping people in need of healthcare.  Dubbed a ray of sunshine on the emergency room floor, Solé was one part comedian, one part newscaster, and one part floor general.  Solé took caregiving to the 10th degree, taking care of her dad in his final days and looking after her mom since moving to Florida.  In her spare time, Solé was an avid movie watcher, from Game of Thrones (her favorite) to the most obscure programs.  She also made time to enjoy time with friends, going to shows, events, chatting on the phone (forever), and just enjoying life.  We can’t forget her affinity for looking good and shopping; not to mention her body art (for those who don’t know the lingo “Tattoos”).            

Solé is survived by her loving mom, Gislaine and her two brothers: Evens and Jean-Marc as well as her nephews and nieces Clayton, Mason, Jasmin and Giselle and was a glue to numerous cousins, family and friends who fought for her and loved her for who she was.  Solé was also the god-mother to Sophia Jones, and den-mother to countless people throughout her life.

“You never said I’m leaving, you never said goodbye.  You were gone before we knew it, and only God knew why.  A million times we needed you, a million times we cried.  If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.  In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still.  In our hearts you hold a place that no one could ever fill.  It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone.  For part of us went with you, the day God took you home.”

Solé is preceded in death by her father Jules Mériné and her sister Florence Mériné Philip.  Her smile, energy and dedication to her friends and family will be greatly missed.

A special thanks to Solé’s mother and brothers Evens and Jean-Marc, T.M. Ralph Funeral Homes who helped make Solé’s cremation possible, and all of Solé’s loving family and friends for your support and contributions during this difficult and tragic time.  All your donations will go towards Solé’s services and celebration of life.