Armande DeBrecourt

Heartfelt obituary written on behalf of Ms. DeBrecourt's family Armande Debrecourt, affectionately known as "Chi Chi”, was full of life, a memorable woman, lively with a contagious spirit. She was often heard vigorously laughing or seen randomly breaking out in dance no matter where. Her energy spoke for itself. She lit up a room. She had the funniest facial expressions and antics. She was known as the ‘fun Sister/Aunty/Cousin’. The 6th child out of 7 children, born to Ida Catherine Cole and Louis Debrecourt in Harlem, NY, she was also the middle of 3 sisters, survived by her youngest sister Jeannette Ortiz. Chi Chi spent most of her life in NYC until retirement. It was in her mid 20’s that she started her 30-year career with the US Postal service, delivering mail in the neighborhoods of Manhattan until she retired at age 59. She was a diligent worker and made many close friends that became like family over her tenure with the Postal Service. Her coworkers remember her fondly. She kept in touch with many until her passing. Chi Chi’s mother wanted her girls to have a solid education, therefore her primary school years were in the catholic school system and summers were spent in catholic summer camp and that’s where Chi Chi learned much of her athletic abilities like horseback riding, swimming, handball, etc. Swimming was her favorite summer past time even well into her 60’s. We used to call her a fish because wherever there was water, there was Chi Chi swimming with ease, or diving and belly flopping effortlessly into the pool like a teenager. She was fearless, a kid at heart. Into her retirement years, she practiced as a lifeguard and pool monitor for her subdivision’s pool for 3 summers at her subdivision. Everyone in the neighborhood knew and loved Chi Chi even with her straight forwardness. She kept the pool area in check. One neighbor recalls when one of the kids urinated in the pool and Chi Chi found out, she yelled “every body out!” while loudly blowing her whistle. Then she began to clean the pool out. She didn’t play that and most respected her diligent efforts to keep things in check. Chi Chi’s personality was naturally vivacious and bubbly. In fact, she never met a stranger. She could naturally strike up a conversation with anyone -be it at the store, in a taxi cab, or at a park. Wherever she went, people were drawn to her because she made anyone feel at ease the moment they met her. She was warm and caring. She made you laugh within seconds of entering a room. She was feisty, no-nonsense, and well versed on a variety of topics, and had no hesitation strongly discussing her philosophies -be it on politics, religion, or current events. Her opinions were deliberate, no guesswork. Her intelligence shined through as she articulated with certainty and wisdom. She could hold a conversation like nobody else - a straight shooter, animated and funny. FAMILY Chi Chi’s heart was kind, loving, and generous. She truly cared for her family and people in general. Chi Chi was such an advocate of family. Although no children of her own, her nieces/nephews, grand nieces/nephews, 2nd cousins became like her surrogate children. She had a carefree spirit, always ready to go to amusement park and hang with the kids with the energy of one herself. She enjoyed getting together with all of her family members whenever she could. She was the Auntie that brought everyone together be it any occasion. She was always trying to link the family together, often sending sweet cards, gifts, or little mementos to let you know she thought of you. She was quite close to her cousins and siblings. She often spoke of her big brother Maurice and how he filled her childhood with affection and adventure. She cared for her older brother, Camille, during his bout with cancer until his death. She was also very dedicated to her younger sister Jeannette (Mimi), looking out for her as she did in their younger years. Chi Chi and Mimi were the sister duo that were always known to be together, and like any sisters had their spats, but love was the glue that kept them close throughout the years even when life took them to opposite ends of the country as it did many times. Her cousins Dermit, Malcolm, Herman, and Aaron were some of her closest growing up and into adulthood. Family kept Chi Chi grounded. She loved them dearly. PASSIONS AND INTERESTS Chi Chi was an advocate of animal rights. She had very caring heart for any animal left behind in the street, particularly felines. In her retirement years she adopted several felines that had no home and lovingly provided them shelter, nutrition, and vet visits. She was so dedicated to animals that it became a passion for her, even regularly donating to animal rights agencies. In the final years of Chi Chi’s life, she expressed a desire to get to ‘know who God is’. So she started to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. She grew very fond of her study conductor, Mrs. Johnny Bullard, as she felt drawn to what she was learning through her kind and patient instruction of the scriptures. Her cynicism turned to hope the more she learned about God and his purposes. In conversations, it became apparent that her faith grew as she would speak of trusting in God, even using God’s name in conversation with some of the family. LEFT TO REMEMBER Left to keep her memory within their hearts and memories are her sister Jeannette, her Aunt Jeannette (‘Honey’), her cousins Malcolm, Dermit, Herman, a host of 2nd cousins, nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and grand nephews. We all adored our Chi Chi. Her death will not surpass our memories and the imprint she left on our hearts. A memorial service will be held Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 12:00 pm in the chapel of Wheeler Funeral Home and Crematory. Following the service there will be a memorial reception in the lounge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ASPCA or your local lHumane Society in Ms. DeBrecourt's memory.

Armande DeBrecourt

December 23, 2016