In Memory of Dieula Gilles “Fifi”

With heavy hearts and deep sadness, we report the death of Fifi.

A valued and beloved employee of Hôpital Sacré Coeur since 1998, she was the Hôpital Sacré Coeur Chef. Soft spoken, caring and ever so personable, Fifi impressed the multitude of volunteers who visited the hospital with her caring demeanor and joyous nature. Back in 1986, CRUDEM founder, Dr. Ted Dubuque, noted that many volunteers returned to HSC because of the fine cooking. Fifi continued that tradition delighting volunteers with tantalizing fare and her engaging and pivotal presence.

Prior to coming to HSC, Fifi worked as a cook for some Americans that owned a tobacco company. Fifi had gone to school to learn her craft. Fifi remembered asking God, when she was young, to provide her with a job and even one she liked. On September 3, 1998, Fifi’s prayer was answered when she started at HSC. “I love my job and feel blessed to work here,” she told everyone. Not only did Fifi prepare three meals a day for the volunteers (over 100 a day in the weeks and months following the earthquake!) she also did all the shopping, both locally and in Cap Haitien.

Fifi laughed that the volunteers always insisted on having the Haitian food. Onions, garlic, shallots, peppers, garlic powder and other seasoned powders added the critical spice to her varied preparations. For meats, Fifi prepared beef, goat, and chicken. One food craving Haitian children share with children around the world, she noted, is a love of sweets. “Children always see candy and cookies as a special treat,” Fifi once said. “And the volunteers like them very much as well!” Her famous sweet French toast left volunteers singing her praises and clambering for more.

While Fifi prepared and bought food in large quantities, she remained acutely aware that for many people in Haiti, especially following the earthquake, putting food on the table was extremely challenging. Being sensitive and attentive to the needs of others was second nature to Fifi.

“Dieula Gilles [FiFi] was a faithful and dedicated long time employee of Hôpital Sacré Coeur,” remembers CRUDEM Chairman Dr. David Butler. “Anyone who witnessed her work in the kitchen of the CRUDEM compound supervising her crew and cooking for the thousands of volunteers who came to Haiti during the period following the earthquake will never forget her. She worked 16 hours a day for months. With it all, she never was without a smile and a look of satisfaction when the last volunteer had been taken care of. We shall miss her deeply. Please remember FiFi in your prayers and, if you are able, a contribution for the support of her family would be much appreciated”

After a long illness, Fifi died Saturday afternoon, January 11 at Hôpital Sacré Coeur. She was surrounded by family and friends. Her funeral will be Sunday, January19, at 2 p.m. in Milot.

A Fifi Memorial Fund has been established. Proceeds will be given to the family to assist with expenses and the ongoing care of her dependents.

If you would like to donate,
you may send checks to:

Fifi Memorial Fund
CRUDEM Foundation
P. O. Box 804
Ludlow, MA 01056
Or you can use this
PayPal button to donate online:

 




 


Below are some of Fifi’s classic recipes that everyone enjoyed so much:


Fifi’s French Toast Recipe

Fifi’s Crepes Recipe

Fifi’s Haitian Pizza

Fifi’s Famous
CRUDEM Salad Dressing

 
You can also find her recipes on the CRUDEM Pinterest Page.