Memories of Marcella Andrea DeCaires

In memory of

Marcella Andrea DeCaires

Montclair, NJ, USA

April 7, 1954 - March 29, 2020

Apr 7, 1954 - Mar 29, 2020

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Natalie Elder

A beautiful soul, I really miss her.

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Laverne Parish

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Karen Lok

I lost my best friend Dennis last year. He had this picture of me dressed from head to toe by Marcella. She was a very unique woman so she helped me be unique.

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Karen Lok

Marcella dressed me for every special occasion that came up in my life. She knew my closet better that I did. If money was tight for me she would help me dress up something I already owned. When I brought my friend Dennis with me she would keep him talking and laughing so that even he enjoyed our time in the store!

I have a message on my phone from Marcella dated 1/24/20 telling me to come in for a sale. I keep that message to remind me how quickly things can change and not to take my friends for granted. I hope she knew how much she meant to all of us😇

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Ann Moresco

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Sheryl Sullivan

I am deeply saddened to learn of Marcella's passing. I was reviewing my emails and was shocked when I saw her beautiful smiling face and the "In Memory Of" caption over her photo. I, along with so many others, share memories of her patience, humor and loyalty whether she was calling to inform me of new arrivals or working with me to find just the right outfit for me. Marcella brought a very unique and special flavor to DemTwoHands and she will be greatly missed, but our wonderful memories and love for her will forever remain in our hearts. With Deepest Sympathy
Sheryl Sullivan

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janet hubert

Dem Two Hands, North Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ, USA

So many times I would come to find just the perfect outfit for a show or a wedding or just needing to buy something extra special for a loved one and Marcella would be there, like a sister to me. Full of energy, I did not come to this page and expect to see this! My heart is so sad right now, so many people leaving us way too soon. My condolences to the family, Marion and all of the family at Dem 2 Hands. J Hubert

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Maya Lake

Karen Brown Stovell

I remember walking in Dem Two Hands after they were finally allowed to reopen and immediately it felt different. I said where's my girl... because after all I relied on Marcella's eye and quick wit. Everyone was silent and then told me she'd passed. It literally took my breath away. I'd come to look forward to Marcella's phone calls/visits letting me know to get my butt into the store so I didn't miss out on the goodies she knew I'd love.

I say visits because I was always there a over an hour; talking, laughing, sharing and shopping.

I miss her energy, her, candor, and her LOVE for making women feel empowered and seen.

Rest well my dear, you are loved and will NEVER be forgotten!

Your buddy,

Karen

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Maya Lake

Ivy Pittman-Outen

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Ivy Pittman-Outen

donna Reed Ekstrand

1973, Bronx, NY, USA

Just Liming at my apartment...probably getting dressed to go out to a disco!

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Maya Lake

Comments:

donna Reed Ekstrand

I had lost touch with Marcella after about 1977 until about 1987. But I so well remember the wild times we... Read more I had lost touch with Marcella after about 1977 until about 1987. But I so well remember the wild times we had together in Georgetown... Read more I had lost touch with Marcella after about 1977 until... Read more

donna Reed Ekstrand

1973, Bronx, NY, USA

Marcella and Donna

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Maya Lake

Karen Lok

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Candis Stanley

Marcella was a joy. If she said yes to the dress...I bought it....miss her so!
Candis

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Ivy Pittman-Outen

Maya Lake

Sharon Peters

Thank you for such a beautiful memorial! A special family like yours should never lose a precious member too early, I send much love and thanks to Marcella and you all!

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Maya Lake

Yasmin Grogan

Marcella loved a story.
an outlandish story, a confounding, rousing and impassioned story,
a human story,
any good story.
a conflict and characters:
Lady Di, The Hunchback, Mayflower, Frick and Frack, The Contessa, Cadillac Cathy.
they all had names.
she loved an underdog, a nonconformist an oddball, crackpot, misfit.
she remembered small details,
often overlooked and meaningful details.
she scribbled notes and doodles everywhere.
she remembered. EVERYTHING.
and she’d weave words into a coarse and captivating, profanity ridden poetry you could see.
repelled or enraptured,
no reaction could be neutral.
she lived for the reaction.
she loved a laugh,
she loved a fight.

she was a contradiction
and felt no compulsion to defend it,
no need to reconcile what is.
you were her “passionflower” in one breath and then a swindling “scamp” in the next,
she’s frantic with insistence and then giddy with laughter
a blistering truth and a mischievous deception,
a combustible ferocity and a doting tenderness,
she was a force.

so now …she IS the story.
we hear her voice we miss it
so we summon HER stories
they are OURS to tell now
because they’re about her.
she’s alive in them.

she’s riding her motorcycle or maybe her horse Mayweather, she’s wearing a onesie and a ducky inner-tube in a sexy swimsuit competition,
she’s maiming barbie dolls and fashioning them crutches,
she’s setting a fire reducing a car to ash and collecting her insurance,
she’s a dealer at the casino and she can spot a roller a mile away,
she knows the last meals of death-row inmates - she has a book about it - “they all wanted a t-bone steak and eggs” she said,
she’s chewing out Eddie next door and then charming him to plow the snow in front of the shop,
she’s smoking with Little Tina, gathering up juicy bits of gossip and got the whole place smelling like cigarettes,
she’s keeping vigil on the porch, daring the man who’s been harassing Maya to come around, she has a shovel in hand - she has no kids she tells him, she’ll do the time.
she’s smuggling contraband candy and cookies for Seraj - she needs us to operate the “texmex” on her smartphone to see what he wants from “Smash”,
she’s got the make and model of your car and every garment you bought over the last decade memorized - she knows your closet better than you, she says

she’s anxiously unraveling an entire roll of paper towels, mopping Marion’s “veil of tears” - “I don’t do sad” she says…I’m a good time Charlie”.

She’s an outlandish, confounding,
rousing and impassioned story,
a human story.
a really good story
we’ll always remember.

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Maya Lake

Vilma Novak

Nancy Toes

Comments:

Toni Martin

This is extremely beautiful and wholly evocative of Marcella. Thank you. This is extremely beautiful and wholly evocative of Marcella. Thank you. This is extremely beautiful and wholly evocative of... Read more

Maya Lake

Thanks to everyone who shared today. Please feel free to keep sharing below.

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In response to "What did you learn from Marcella?"

Yasmin Grogan

Ivy Pittman-Outen

La Verne Parish

Tawonnia Granderson

I truly miss Marcella. She was the life of the (party) store. Always had a story and kept you laughing. Her smile and laughter kept me smiling and laughing. If you were ever sad or need an uplift go see Marcella. Whenever there was a sale and I was not sure if I had a particular item Marcella knew, and most of the time she was right on. She would go out of her way to help you. Rest in peace my friend. May God Bless your Soul.

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Yasmin Grogan

Vanda Radzik

GUYANA & Dem Two Hands - Marion's shop - Montclair, NJ, USA

Marcella was completely unique! She had a wonderfully varied life - so many lives within her one lifetime - and so much life still in her before her untimely death one year ago! As Larry said , she had a colossal memory a kind of photographic memeoty where she could reel off names, places, actual street addresses, types of cars or motorbikes AND the car or bike plate numbers! This after 30+ years later!
er stories and memories were also peppered with saucy, irreverent, entertaining but accurate accounts that left you laughing and enriched. We all loved her uncompromising frankness - she was always honest and fiercely loyal. I remember her roaring up on her motorbike to our house in Diamond Estate followed by a posse of people and an instant "lime" would ensue. She took me once for a ride from Diamond on the East Bank Demerara to the City. She was a great rider and I felt completely st ease and safe all the way. Years later she stayed with us for a while at our house at Houston Estate. She loved the little balcony with the massive rubber plant tree where she would smoke. She also went with me "over the river" to West Demerara and to the church where she family members were baptised so she could get copies of these records. Once she accompanied me to a "consultation" I was having with road users in West Coast Demerara with sugar workers and other local authorities concerning impacts on them on a new road being proposed. She sat quietly and listened intently - and then on the way home - gave me the most incredible feedback from what she had observed and intuited. One memorable comment was her opinion on an Environmentalist who attended and of whom she made short-shrift commenting on body language and that this person "never listened to a word from the road users and stakeholders" - just bombarded them with own comments and ignored any impacts voiced by them. This was absolutely true and I included Marcella's perspective into my Report. Sje was so astute. So kind - with a great generosity of spirit - for those she loved and cared for - and equally fierce in calling out those who were unkind to those she loved in the family circle. I also remember her own inimitable style and her genuis in "dressing" clients at Dem Two Hands. I witnessed this first hand with two different "top brass" clients. Both had come in a chose a few outfits of their own liking first with Marcella saying "ummm". They tried them on and looked awful in them. Marcewlla then suggested two or three of her choosing and presto! They emerged looking terrific and radiant in each. One bought all three immediately plus scaft and hat. The other bought two and made a downpayment on third & fourth with some required alterations. It was magic. I, myself checked with M for any little item I bought and she brought some to me saying "these will just melt away the fat"... I still have have and wear them "meltingly" to this day!
Brilliant, funny, fierce, loyal and extraordinary Marcella de Caires! You will live on forever in our hearts and minds and memories. Please don't Rest In Peace up there - raise hell (symbolically speaking) and keep God & Angels on their tippy toes - add some zest into the spirt & spirits and their garments! As I am sure you are doing!
Love always, Vanda.

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Maya Lake

Kim Milligan

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Michelle Godbee

I love you so much. Thank you for making me feel so special.

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Yasmin Grogan

Comments:

Michelle Godbee

When I faced breast cancer surgery a few years ago Marcella helped me to get through this situation as only... Read more When I faced breast cancer surgery a few years ago Marcella helped me to get through this situation as only Marcella can. I have... Read more When I faced breast cancer surgery a few years ago ... Read more

Susan Van Pelt

Although I’ve moved from the area, I loved hearing her laugh and her sense of humor!! Always so welcoming, or was it a sale?!🥰🥰

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Janice Walker

From shopping at Dem Two hands for many years. Marcella was my personal shopper. I only wanted her, she knew what I like and always gave me an amazing experience!

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Maya Lake

Claire Ciliotta

“Button, button, pocket, pocket”. Marcella would give ma call every time my favorite brands came in. And she always described them by making a rhyme out of their features. She never hesitated to say “no” when something looked bad or tell me to pick a different color or size. And she was always right! What I miss the most tho is how she could “get” a person in less than 5 words. She was like an arrow, never missing the mark and she did it with this fabulous sense of humor. I miss her dearly!!!

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Maya Lake

Kathleen Flanagan

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Yasmin Grogan

Comments:

Kathleen Flanagan

Such a beautiful heart! How did she know what I would love before I did? Such a beautiful heart! How did she know what I would love before I did? Such a beautiful heart! How did she know what I would... Read more

Edda Calderon

Memories of Marcella:
Her voice, wry humor, hearty laugh and always welcoming “how can I help you”? Evert time I parked in my spot at the corner of N. Fullerton and Claremont it was usually to see something in a window she had dressed. A hat or dress or shirt.....definitely a LOOK!! Of course I would buy what I saw PLUS other things that were suggested. She knew the store and it’s customers well. If I said no to something there was always an alternate style, color, or brand. Damn it, she was usually right! It took close to 20 years to develop the easy banter that we had. She is missed. I’m no longer in Montclair but if ever on the corner of N. Fullerton and Claremont again, I will enter with loving memories of laughter and music......and Marcella with Family.
Remembering her fondly,
Edda Calderon

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