Mariolene Sanon Philippe

Though her time with us was far too short, Mariolene's life was rich with meaningful chapters-each one marked by the loving names given to her by those who knew and adored her. Born Mariolene, she was affectionately called Sabine Sanon by her grandparents and, later in childhood, Binette Bataille. As an adult, she became Tatie Bibie to her nieces and nephews, Mommy to her daughters, and Molly to her colleagues. Each name tells the story of a woman whose life was deeply rooted in love, family, and community-the beautiful story of Mariolene Philippe.
Born on October 26, 1967, in Les Cayes, Haiti, Mariolene was nurtured in a close-knit family where bonds extended beyond titles. Her aunts became bonus mothers; her cousins, additional siblings. She was raised in a home full of warmth, resilience, and enduring affection.
Mariolene built a chapter of her life with Evans Desrosiers, during which they were married and shared the joy of raising two beautiful and beloved daughters. In Haiti, she trained as an accountant and practiced that profession for ten years before immigrating to the United States in 2001 in search of greater opportunities for herself and her family.
Her daughters were the center of her world, the light of her life, and her proudest legacy. Determined to provide for them and support them through every stage of life, Mariolene retrained as a certified nursing assistant and later as a licensed medication technician. She dedicated her life to caring for the elderly, becoming a steady, smiling presence for patients and co-workers alike. Her warmth and heart of gold earned her the lifelong affection of her colleagues, who came to love her as family.
Mariolene often said she was willing to struggle and sacrifice so that her daughters would not have to. It was through her unwavering devotion and selfless love that they were able to pursue their dreams. Today, her daughters honor her as a lawyer and a soon-to-be dentist, achievements they credit to her.
A devout Catholic throughout her life, Mariolene grew up singing in the church choir (Legion Marie) and serving in youth groups. She gave generously to churches and humanitarian causes, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She passed as a parishioner of St. William of York Catholic Church.
Mariolene found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She loved capturing fond memories in photographs. She loved to garden, especially tending to pink roses that she planted in front of her home, which would bloom bright and beautiful at the end of each spring. She took pride in making her house a home, decorating it with family photos and treasures that brought her happiness.
In August of 2024, Mariolene was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. In the face of this daunting diagnosis, she drew her strength from her faith, family, and friends. She endured months of treatment with courage and grace. After a brave and difficult battle and with the guidance of her doctors, Mariolene chose to spend her final days in the peace and comfort of her home. On April 4, 2025, she passed away, embraced by the love of family members.
Mariolene is preceded in death by her beloved maternal grandparents, Azia and Ntote Sanon, who adored her, and her uncle, Roger Bataille, a valued father figure in her early years.
She is survived by a family who loved her beyond measure: her mother, Julienne Sanon; her father, Marcel Philippe; her aunts, Mayotte Bataille-who raised her as her own-and Roseline Sanon-who helped care for her in her final days. She is also survived by her daughters, Marva Desrosiers and Thara Desrosiers, and her son-in-law, Russ Pierce, whom she loved dearly.
She is lovingly remembered by her brother, Jean-Michel Pierre, and his family, who were devoted to her through and through; her sister, Rose Marcelle Philippe Angervil, and her family, who were always there with support; and her cherished goddaughter and godson, Lori-Ann Metellus and Francky Sano. Mariolene leaves behind a wide and loving circle of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, all of whom hold her in the highest regard. She is also fondly remembered by many friends and co-workers whose lives she touched profoundly.
Mariolene was resilient. She possessed a radiant sense of humor, a well of deep compassion, and a gentle kindness that will forever echo in the hearts of all who knew her. Her memory cannot be captured in these words alone, but it is the hope of her family that all who knew her will carry her spirit forward, keeping her memory alive through stories, laughter, and love.