Violette Alma Agnant

Violette Alma Agnant, age 73, passed away peacefully at home in Elizabeth, NJ, on August 27th, 2024, under hospice care, surrounded by her two children, extended family, and a village of close friends.  Visitation will be on Friday, September 6, 2024 from 6-9 p.m. at Union Funeral Home - Lytwyn & Grillo, 1600 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union, N.J.  A Funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 9 a.m. at St. Joseph the Carpenter Church, 160 East 3rd Avenue Roselle, NJ 07203.  Kindly gather directly at the Church for the Funeral Mass.  Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery, Linden, N.J.  Memories and condolences may be shared at unionfuneralhome.com.

Born to Mrs. Auguste Desir (née Batramise Dornelus) and Mr. Pierre Pirus Agnant on February 5th, 1951, at the general hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Alma attended Ecole Jean-Jacques in Cabaret, previously known as Ecole de Duvalier Ville. Alma was very popular growing up in Cabaret.

At the age of 18, Alma married Joseph Yves Guillaume in Cabaret, Haiti. Shortly after, in October 1969, she immigrated to Elizabeth, NJ, with Yves, where she continued to reside until her passing. Their union was blessed with two children, James Guillaume and Violette Betty Guillaume (Francois).

Alma worked at Singer for over 20 years and later at Frigidaire before retiring. She lived a full life, enjoying dancing to her favorite bands, especially Tropicana, telling stories and jokes, taking long trips to Haiti, spending time with family and friends, and attending garage sales. Alma was a giver and a helper, assisting many people throughout the years in both NJ and Haiti. She also prided herself as a matchmaker.

When you think of Alma, the word that comes to mind is "Fanm Vanyan" in Creole. The English definition is a warrior, courageous, respectful, protective, unapologetically hardworking, selfless, passionate, caring, strong, independent, and resilient. She knew how to make something out of nothing. She was a revolutionary, doing things beyond anyone's expectations and taking risks.

Alma was an opinionated, no-nonsense woman with a heart of gold for helping others. She had a soft spot for her grandchildren.

Back in March, when she fell ill, she once again proved to be a warrior. Not one tear was shed as she vowed to fight with everything she had, and she did so until the very end. Heaven has gained a mover, a shaker, and a shot-caller.