Rosemarie (Berthelot) Charles

Rosemarie Charles (née Berthelot) of Boston, Massachusetts departed this earthly, and quite frankly, ramshackle realm on December 16, 2025. She passed away in Lincoln, Massachusetts at the age of 73 after a 7-year journey with Multiple Myeloma—a rare and insidious blood cancer. As grief entangles us in a web of fog and suffocating sorrow, we are also overcome with joy recounting her life well-lived.

Born October 3,1952 in Pétion-Ville, Haiti, to the late Joseph Berthelot and late Julienne Leger, Rosemarie entered life as beautifully, gracefully and dignified as she left it. She attended elementary school at the Institution St. Pierre of Pétion-Ville and high school at Lysée François Duvalier of Pétion-Ville, where she excelled in her studies and developed her voracious literary appetite.

In 1972, as the island of Haiti continued to experience exodus en masse from the remnants of François Duvalier’s dictatorial regime, Rosemarie immigrated to the United States. Along with her father, stepmother, and a sister, and despite their Catholic faith, Rosie was sponsored immigration by the Society of St. Margaret, an Episcopalian religious order that runs Couvent Sainte Marguerite in Port-au-Prince to this day. The sisters of St. Margaret operated a series of townhouses which functioned as a convent and chapel in Louisburg Square on Boston’s historic Beacon Hill. Rosie and her family lived and worked in one of the townhouses at 19 Louisburg Square, a storied address now home to U.S. politician John Kerry (fancy!).

While acclimating to a new environment, language, and way of life, Rosie attended English classes at the English Language Center. Instructed by Mary Alice Duplain, who taught English to the city’s newcomers, Rosie would often reminisce on how for an island girl, walking across Boston Common to get to class in the depths of winter made her wish she was back in the tropics. But, as she was wont to do, she persevered and continued on with her studies, eventually matriculating at Boston State College (now UMass Boston). For a time, she moved to Washington, D.C., before returning to Boston.

As is generally the immigrant story, Rosie held a myriad of jobs to support herself in this new country. However, the bulk of her career was spent in hospitality working at a number of premium Boston hotels including most recently, The Eliot Hotel as the head of the housekeeping department. Rosie took pride in her work and providing for her family.

Loving and venerable mother to a son and daughter, this pride in providing was no greater evident than in the way she cared for both Alvin and Romie. Material items aside, she instilled in her children a deep understanding of the Golden Rule—treat others the way you’d want to be treated. Ultimately for her, it was about raising kind, fair, and respectful kids who’d show up in the world and for others in these same ways.

Arbiter of impeccable style and taste, lover of walks and Tatte’s vanilla sugar donuts and lemonade, curious observer of nature’s beauty, travel adventurer, Rosie’s gentle soul also exuded a fierce tenacity, grit, and joie de vivre. She led with and prioritized compassion, kindness, and laughter. She dug deeply into the well of her faith when challenges arose. She also had an uncanny ability to put people at ease—very often asking her doctors, nurses and aides if they’ve eaten or if they slept ok. Her heart was her most beautiful feature and her greatest asset.

Rosie leaves on this mortal side her husband, Pierre E. Charles (his siblings); her son, Alvin S. Labissiere and his wife Kimberley Labissiere along with their daughter, Kaylee Rose; and her daughter, Romane E. Charles. Bonus children Sherley Lane (Fred Lane and their children, Fred and Cydnee); Cassandre Charles; D’Annette Roy (Serge Hyacinthe and their children, Nyerere, Nnamdi and Zaïna); Edward “Teddy” Charles (his daughter, Amanda). Doting sister to Francy Leger, Jean-Claude Francois (Gayle Francois), Marlene Berthelot, Mireille "Micki" Morency(Yves Morency), Smith Toussaint (Lysell Toussaint), Gerard Berthelot (Michelle Berthelot), Linda Berthelot, Richard Berthelot (Angela Berthelot), and Nougues Metellus (Christiane Metellus). Godmother to Jean-Claude Francois, Jr., and Viola Toussaint. Cousin to the Berthelot, Francois, Jarda, Dorfeuille, Lyncée, Barthelmy and Norelus families. Niece to Abner Blaise Francois, Sorel Francois, Izile Basse and Fernande Legerme. Auntie and Great-Auntie to scores of nieces and nephews and a dear friend to so many.

She is predeceased by her parents, Joseph Berthelot and Julienne Leger; surrogate mothers, Rose Metellus and Gabrielle Berthelot; godmother, Cydane Legerme, and many an aunt and uncle.

To our Mummy, Rosie, Marzipan, Girl, Rô-Rô…we won’t despair and our tears will be at the fond memories of times spent with you.

A celebration of life will be held the weekend of October 3rd and 4th, 2026—more details forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests making a donation in Rosemarie’s memory to any of the following organizations: Patient Advocate Foundation, Blood Cancer United, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.