Obituary of Geronne (Ogé) Georges

Geronne (Ogé) Georges, age 65, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Medford, MA, following a lengthy illness.  She was the beloved wife of Wisland Georges, with whom she shared over 46 incredible years of love, companionship, and marriage.

Born in Desdunes, Haiti, she was a daughter of Mesina (Dervilus) Ogé, and the late St. Pierre Ogé.  Geronne and her husband Wisland met when they were both in grade school, and became fast friends since they were both at the top of their classes and were always aware of each other.  Wisland was a couple of years older, but even from a young age, he could see how Geronne’s intelligence, beauty, and genuine kindness set her apart from everyone else.  As they grew older and changed schools, they were only able to spend summers together.  Their time apart made them take their relationship more seriously as the years passed.  By 1978, the two were a couple, and by 1979 they were married.  They didn’t have much of a newlywed phase in Haiti though, because in 1980, Wisland left for America to make a home for them.  A year later, he sent for Geronne and they officially started their new life, continuing to build their family together. 

Geronne was incredible in ways beyond just her grace and intellect.  She quickly got to work once her and her husband were settled in America.  After attending Blaine Beauty School, she opened her own hair salon, Dream Hair, in Brighton in 1989.  She worked and ran the salon every day, while also taking care of her four children, her home, and her family back in Haiti.  It was around this time that Wisland fell ill.  Geronne made caring for him look easy, juggling all she had while also taking better care of her husband than anyone else ever could have.  Her capacity for love and compassion truly knew no bounds.  For 12 years while her husband was ill, she worked long hours in the salon and worked as a nanny on the side to make money to send to her relatives in Haiti. She did this while also making sure her children felt loved and supported, and that their home was safe and comfortable for her family.  She truly was a shelter for each of them, and never spoke a word of discomfort or complaint.  Geronne, more than anything in this world, loved to love people—especially her family.  There were no lengths she wouldn’t go to for them.  Her selflessness, generosity, and fighting spirit left a lasting impact with each person who was lucky enough to know her.

All the hard work Geronne put in while her husband was sick paid off because when he was well again, the two of them became unstoppable.  In 1999, she closed down the hair salon and decided to embark on different ventures with Wisland in their multi-service company.  Soon after her husband opened his real estate agency, they opened Geronne Insurance Agency in 2007.  Their customers came to know her for all the same things her family did, her kindness and generosity.  Any time someone came to the office, they never left empty handed, even if it was just a cup of coffee.  Geronne couldn’t let someone leave her without giving them more than what they came with.  When Geronne fell ill, and Wisland began having to run the office alone, the customers couldn’t help but note Geronne’s absence, because she was a nurturer in every sense.  Everyone felt the weight of losing the safe haven Geronne always was for them when she became sick.  This shift only proved the depth of the love that ran through their family.  Much like she did for Wisland all those years ago, he and their children returned the favor ten-fold, and looked after Geronne with as much compassion and care as she would have—and did—for them.  Being able to be there for her in her time of need gave comfort to them in that, at least in some small way, they were able to begin to repay her for everything she had sacrificed for them through the years.

Along with her loving husband Wisland, Geronne is survived by her four daughters, Gelande Georges of Everett, Landy Georges of Philadelphia, PA, Geronnie Soto and her husband of Chelsea, and Emmanuela Georges of Medford; her four grandchildren, Elijah Corey Peete, A’giana Altidor, Gabriel Casimir Soto, and Giani Jean Baptiste; Her mother Mesina (Dervilus) Ogé; her eight siblings, Pierre Etienne Ogé, Pierre Jacques Ogé, Ogés Ogé, Victorin Ogé, Dounia Ogé, Marie Maude (Ogé) Mondestin, Marie Michelle (Ogé) Paul, and Magalie (Ogé) Charlestin, as well as many other dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held at the Missionary Church of the Haitian Community, 100 Temple Street, Somerville on Saturday, October 19, from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m.  Her Funeral Service will take place in the church from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.  Burial will immediately follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.