Dr. Marie-Claude Rigaud was born in Jérémie, Haiti on January 24, 1939 and passed away
peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on April 18, 2024 at Bickford of Saint Charles.
She is survived by her 5 children, Carl-Andre Rigaud of Naperville, Illinois, Jean-Philippe
(Maria) Rigaud of Steubenville, Ohio, Cassandre (Don) Anderson of Rockford, Illinois, Joseph
(Kari) Rigaud of Dekalb, Illinois, and Claudine (Marcel) Dulaney of Phoenix, Arizona. She
leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, and her beloved sister Yanick Saint
Jean. Marie-Claude is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Andre Rigaud, her son
Ralph Rigaud, her brother Max Saint Jean, and her sister Marie-Josette Saint Jean Erié. The
lifelong friends she leaves behind are too numerous to name.
Many people know Dr. Rigaud through her extensive charitable work and through service on the
boards of several organizations including Marmion Academy. However, she would say
that her most meaningful professional contributions were in the area of mental health and most
significantly within her beloved home country of Haiti. She practiced Psychiatry from the time
she completed her medical training in Haiti in 1962 through her retirement in 2014. She also
completed a Masters in Public Health and held positions on the boards of several organizations
including AMHE (Association Médicale Haïtienne à l'Étranger) where she served as President
from 1983 - 1987.
Dr. Rigaud partnered with other organizations including the American Psychiatric Association
(APA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) to
bring awareness of the mental health challenges in Haiti, particularly after the 2010 earthquake
which brought much devastation to her beloved home country. She was a co-founder of Rebati
Santé Mentale - a non-profit organization "dedicated to providing the nation of Haiti with
effective mental health care by integrating mental wellness into the nation's health care system
and policies." Her efforts were recognized by the APA through a Profile of Courage Award in
2014.
One of Dr. Rigaud's lifelong dreams was to complete and publish her book on Haiti - a book
written from her unique perspective as a Haitian and a psychiatrist. "The Decaying Pearl" is a
dream to which she dedicated much time and effort, even into her final years of life; a dream
that may still be fulfilled by her successors.
The entirety of Dr. Rigaud's accomplishments and accolades are too numerous to count, but
collectively serve as a testament to her and her late husband's commitment to active
participation in the communities they belonged to. Marie-Claude and André were amazing
examples to their children of what service and sacrifice looked like.
Although you can view Marie-Claude's life through these milestones, it is the time in between
these milestones that we, her family and friends, knew her best. Marie-Claude and her lifelong
partner André married on September 30, 1961 in Haiti. They moved to the United States and
laid a foundation for their large family - a family whose branches will continue to grow and
flourish as a result of them. They planted our roots deep and watered us with love.
We are grateful to have had Marie-Claude's influence, listening ear, love and support for all of
her years. She was a servant of God and a loving mother until the end. We mourn for the loss
of our mother but we know that she is at peace, with God, and reunited with her husband of 60
years. Poppy and Mom – we will see you again.
Please join us in celebrating her life at a Visitation to be held from 3:00 - 7:00 pm on Friday,
May 3, 2024 at Daleiden Mortuary, 220 N. Lake Street, Aurora, IL where there will be a Liturgical Wake Service at 3:00pm.
A Funeral Mass will be offered by Fr. Vincent Bataille, O.S.B. on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 10:00am at Marmion Abbey Church, 850 Butterfield Rd., Aurora, IL.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Rebȃti Santé Mentale
( https://rebatisantementalersm.org/ ), AMHE (amhe.org), and/or Hope for Haitians
( https://hopeforhaitians.org/ ).
Arrangements were handled by THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora, 630-
631-5500. Please visit the website at www.daleidenmoruary.com to sign the virtual guest book or leave condolences for the Rigaud family.