Remembering Edith Rochez, American Woman of Honduran Garifuna Heritage

She passed away at the age of 54

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Copyright 2024 by Teofilo Colon Jr for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved.

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Brooklyn, New York – Beloved American Woman of Honduran #Garifuna Heritage, Edith Rochez has passed away. She was 54 Years Old. Cause of Death has not been disclosed.

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This sad news is stunning to me. Last time I communicated with Edith was in June 2024, when I sent her a message on either Instagram or Facebook asking her for information about the Annual June Catholic Garifuna Mass in Brooklyn officiated by Catholic Garifuna Priest, Father Tomas Cacho as I hadn’t seen anyone post about it on Facebook.

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It was then, when she told me that she had been sick and had been in the hospital. She said that she was home recovering from surgery.

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I didn’t press her for details and did not think much of it as I figured she was getting better.

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About a month or so later, her cousin Abelardo Guerrero Jr (Mr. G), asked publicly on Facebook for ‘Prayer Warriors’ for Edith.

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Even there, I didn’t take the hint and think that things were bad for Edith as she recovered from various ailments her entire life.

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The Last time I saw Edith in person was in March 2024 at my Aunt’s wake in Brooklyn. It’s heartbreaking to now know that that was the last time I would ever see Edith again.

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I wish we had more time.

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I had learned late the evening of July 31st 2024 that Edith had passed. Stunned, Shaken and Sad, I couldn’t sleep at all as my existence became a nightmare.

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Later on, a post from Edith’s sister, Ivette confirmed the sad news that Edith had passed and was now an Ancestor.

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Reacting to the shocking news, I wrote on Facebook the following morning:

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“I couldn’t sleep last night knowing that you are no longer with us, Edith. I am beyond devastated.”

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“R.I.P to American Woman of Honduran Garifuna Heritage, Miss Edith Rochez. Beiba Ameragua. Condolences to her Family, Friends and Colleagues.” 🕯️🙏🏾🕊️

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“An Incandescent Beauty, Edith seemingly knew (or was in some way related to) everyone in the Garifuna Community in the East New York / Brownsville section of Brooklyn.”

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“My conversations with her over the years were key to me learning about Brooklyn Garinagu of a certain era. Man, it was a privilege to know Edith. I LOVED her, as did countless others.” 💔💔💔

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In rresponse to my post, Edith’s sister, Ivette wrote the following:

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“Teofilo Colon Jr, Thank you for recognizing my sister and sharing this. Edith Rochez was a Pillar in our community, she showed up and supported events and always shared her photos that captured the day.”

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“Edith absolutely loved her culture-though she may not have been fluent in the Garifuna language she was every bit a Garifuna Woman through and through. I will my miss sister immensely and I know I shared her with the world. Those whose lives she touched and connected with and love her will miss her also. This one hurts we lost a great one. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Sis, you were so loved SIEP.” – Ivette Rochez

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Edith Rochez (2nd from left) with Her Brothers and Sister

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Born on December 15th 1969, Edith was raised in the lovely Borough of Brooklyn and has three brothers and two sisters. Her family is from the Island of Roatan, which is off the Coast of Honduras (and is part of Honduras).

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A fan of Professional American Football Team, The Dallas Cowboys, Edith was also known for being an Advocate for Family, Garifuna-Ness and also for being an Advocate for Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness.

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Edith went to Mabel Dean Bacon Vocational High School and Graduated in 1988.

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She also attended BMCC (Borough of Manhattan Community College) where she majored in Business Administration.

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Edith Rochez in an Undated Photo in her Twenties

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In reading the reactions to the passing of Edith Rochez, many noted that she was the Family Historian and Genealogist.

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Edith was the one people turned to, to find out who was related to who and how they fit in the Family Tree.

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Edith also served as a Spanish Interpreter in local polls during Elections.

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Anyone who followed Edith on social media noticed that she would attend EVERY Family and Friend Function!

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Birthday Parties, Reunions, Weddings, Old Timer’s Day Celebrations, Mother’s Day Celebrations, Father’s Day Celebrations, Christmas Parties, New Year’s Celebrations, July 4th Celebrations, Caribbean Day Parades, Central American Independence Parades and Festivals, Concerts by Garifuna Artists, Caribbean Artists, American Artists, etc, Edith was at every one.

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Her Presence and Demonstration of Support as shown by her Physical Presence at these Events were appreciated and remembered.

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And she documented every event! In fact, Many times, Edith was the family photographer and/or Videographer! Shows how Passionate Edith was about keeping the Family together and the Healing Ingredient of Fellowship.

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When I lived in the East New York section of Brooklyn, I’d walk around and every now and then, Edith would honk her car horn to get my attention just to say Hello as she drove by.

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In the Garifuna Community, or any ethnic community, you have people who are truly Connectors within the community and Edith certainly fit that description amongst Brooklyn Garinagu.

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I cannot overstate how Lovely Edith was. I hope I have provided readers a glimpse into how much of a Factor Edith was. She mattered and she was loved.

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Edith is survived by her Mother, Her Sister, Her Two Brothers and Her Daughter.

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Edith joins her Father, Conce Rochez, her Brother, Jeffrey, and Sister in Heaven.

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Beiba Ameragua, Edith.

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