Bench at Rugby Road House Dedicated in Memory of Maude Guillaume-Rennie
Cecilia Maudlyn Guillaume-Rennie, known as Maude, worked at Citizens for 26 years. During that time, Maude served as the House Manager for the Rugby Road and Ivy Avenue Houses and is remembered for her warmth, professionalism, and advocacy for the people she supported. Maude passed away in 2023.
With flowers in bloom and a garden ready to welcome visitors, people supported, family members, staff, and friends gathered to celebrate Maude’s life and share memories of her lasting impact.
“Like myself, she started off as a Direct Support Professional, and through her hard work and determination, she grew to the point that she became a manager,” said Stanfort J. Perry, CEO. “She was especially known for her fierce advocacy for the young women in this house. Nothing got in her way when it came to making sure their needs were met.”
At the ceremony, attendees unveiled a memorial bench and garden, with flowers planted and kindness stones placed in Maude’s memory. Additional garden accents were contributed by Jennifer Goot, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health; Tammy Vallancourt, Manager of Ontario Avenue IRA; and Sharon Ramirez, Manager of Rugby Road IRA, to represent the love Maude shared with the people she supported and her colleagues throughout her time at Citizens.
The plaque on the bench reads:
“All they need is a little love and understanding.”
Cecilia Guillaume-Rennie
In Loving Memory,
A Beautiful Heart, A Generous Heart, A Legacy of Love
Together, Tessa Guillaume-Lewis, Assistant Director of Residential Services and Maude’s cousin, and Joshua Baptiste, Maude’s son, revealed the memorial bench.
“Maudlyn meant a lot to a lot of people,” Tessa said. “I just want to say thank you to everybody who made this happen. I appreciate that the agency recognized everything Maudlyn did for everyone and all the people she helped.”
As attendees shared memories of Maude, Joshua recalled a childhood spent surrounded by Citizens supports and services: from Christmas Day playing basketball outside at the Helen Kaplan Center Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) to living at the Ontario Avenue IRA when it first opened.
“She truly believed she had to be there for the women and men who lived there, because they counted on her,” Joshua said, holding his baby daughter. “That dedication, she installed in her kids and everything we do.”
Thank you to everyone who made the remembrance ceremony and garden memorial possible. It will continue to grow and flourish with the care and dedication that Maude continues to inspire.